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How do you get a kidney transplant without insurance?
As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
31–40 of 97 posts
Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#32Earlier quoted context omitted.
Nice dig disingenuously implying the US isn't a first world country, it is of course the very definition of one. The term also doesn't relate to economic development. Anyway, even some developing countries have universal healthcare, e.g. Cuba.
It was definitely a dig, but I don't think he was seriously implying the US isn't a first world country. I think the frustration stems from the fact that the US is the most obvious example of a first world country, and yet still hasn't figured out how to provide cost-effective and universally available healthcare to its citizens.
yes, hence "disingenuous".
Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#33Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#34Fantastic article. For more info on why US healthcare costs are so high, I recommend a recent article from PBS: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2013/11/why-does-he... "Administrative costs of running our health care system are astronomical...Duke University Hospital has 900 hospital beds and 1,300 billing clerks. The typical Canadian hospital has a handful of billing clerks."
Time magazine had another good one earlier this year: Bitter Pill http://livingwithmcl.com/BitterPill.pdf (pdf)
Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#35> Orla’s forehead was sealed with a dab of skin glue for $1,696. On Reddit, where this stuff is discussed more, I just urge people if they can get away with it (they are conscious and can hide their wallet, for ex), to just give them a fake name. Almost $2k for a dab of skin glue? No! I don't care what complicated politico-economical factor lead to that. Free market, over-regulated market,expensive doctor's education…
Have you seen the profit margins for the hospitals with these high prices? They certainly aren't raking it in. I agree that's stupid, but that's how the system works for paying for medical care in the US. From the perspective of the hospital, it makes perfect sense.
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Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#36How on earth can you think a free market solution is appropriate for emergency medical care? For elective procedures, sure. For the ER? How do you expect the consumer to have perfect knowledge, rationality and freedom of choice in that scenario? If your kid is gushing blood, you call an ambulance to take them wherever they can get patched up the fastest. To expect someone to shop around until they find an equilibrium…
Nice dig disingenuously implying the US isn't a first world country, it is of course the very definition of one. The term also doesn't relate to economic development. Anyway, even some developing countries have universal healthcare, e.g. Cuba.
I suppose Cuba is the reason we don't have universal healthcare. If they do it, it must be Communist.
Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#37[deleted]
According to the article, a paltry 2% of your net revenue goes to uncompensated care (that's the California average).
"Though hospitals’ nonprofit status allows them to reap tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in tax benefits, California Pacific Medical Center’s main campuses spent 1.27 percent of their more than $1.1 billion in net patient revenues in 2011 on free care for indigent or uninsured patients, lower than the state average of 2.07 percent, according to statistics compiled by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The far smaller St. Luke’s branch spent 5.32 percent that year."
Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#38Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#39This should be more specifically in America . The title seems overly generic.
It's an article in the New York Times, an American newspaper. By default, it is about America. Not every news article needs to declare a globally unique namespace.
Re: As Hospital Prices Soar, a Single Stitch Tops $500
#40[deleted]
According to the article, a paltry 2% of your net revenue goes to uncompensated care (that's the California average). "Though hospitals’ nonprofit status allows them to reap tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in tax benefits, California Pacific Medical Center’s main campuses spent 1.27 percent of their more than $1.1 billion in net patient revenues in 2011 on free care for indigent or uninsured patients, lower t…
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