Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.

[Hawkmoon]

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/06/21/good-samaritan-hit-with-143-bill-after-saving-family-trapped-in-overturned-van/

Cliff's Notes version:

Man sees van crash and flip over. Man stops to get people out of van. Man cuts hand while rescuing crash victims. EMS treated a cut on his hand -- and then billed him $143 for his trouble.

[zxcvbob]

It doesn't say the treated his hand, just looked at it.

[brimic]

$143 is a paltry sum on the balance when you know you did right.

[wmenorr67]

$143 is a paltry sum on the balance when you know you did right.

Still bullshit.

[brimic]

Still bullshit.

Then who pays for the medical services? Should it come out of Obama's stash?

[Balog]

A man received medical services and then had to pay for them. The cost seems high, but aside from that I'm not really getting the outrage. 

[HankB]

No good deed goes unpunished.

Then who pays for the medical services? Should it come out of Obama's stash?

How about the driver of the van that flipped over?

[wmenorr67]

Then who pays for the medical services? Should it come out of Obama's stash?

A man received medical services and then had to pay for them. The cost seems high, but aside from that I'm not really getting the outrage. 

No good deed goes unpunished.
How about the driver of the van that flipped over?

How about the insurance company of the van driver or even maybe a city/county/state policy that would cover things like this.

[MechAg94]

I am a bit surprised they billed him so little.  The article only said they looked at it.  If they bandaged it, I can see the bill.  If not, I don't see where they should bill him.

[wmenorr67]

Deputy Chief Mike McLaughlin says Deanda became a patient when a paramedic looked at a small cut he suffered from breaking the van’s window.

Deanda can appeal the fee and has a good chance of winning.

Even McLaughlin says he’d like to see the fee waived.

Just now actually read the article and noticed this.

[roo_ster]

This ought to come as no surprise.  The ruling class has really gone out of its way to discourage, by means of disincentives, charitable action on the part of individuals and organizations.  Since the early 20th century.

In this case, we have someone who acted charitably (possibly saving gov't 6 or 7 figure hospital bills) getting dinged for $143.  True, not a huge sum.  How many who read the article will, given the opportunity, just say "Screw it" and drive on by?  After all, isn't that sort of thing we pay gov't for?

[Mannlicher]

That a good Samaritan,  helping accident victims, was billed by .gov for medical treatment for an injury occurring during the incident,  is total bullshit.  Those that don't see the problem here, are, well, part of the problem.   :)

[De Selby]

Wow, they must have given him some discount.  The last time I got a set of stitches it was $3000.

[Andiron]

Wow, they must have given him some discount.  The last time I got a set of stitches it was $3000.

Unpossible,  you've told us repeatedly how much better and cheaper/free everything is under socialism.

[Perd Hapley]

Unpossible,  you've told us repeatedly how much better and cheaper/free everything is under socialism.

Stop trying to make this some left-right thing. 

[Hawkmoon]

Wow, they must have given him some discount.  The last time I got a set of stitches it was $3000.

I think he got a look, and maybe a Band-Aid.

[De Selby]

Unpossible,  you've told us repeatedly how much better and cheaper/free everything is under socialism.

That was in the United States

[zahc]

I'm in the camp that doesn't see the outrage. If he received treatment, then he (or his insurance company) should be billed. Who else? He is free to seek reimbursement from the government or from the victims' insurance companies or from some charity, but I don't see the outrage at this hospital. If I were the hospital, maybe I would forego billing him as part of my "goodwill budget", but maybe not. If I were one of the victims he saved, I would pay his bill plus buy him a case of beer (minimum). But the fact that he got billed for being treated, itself, does not strike me as offensive.

[French G.]

I always stop and help. And I leave as soon as things are cooled down. I know retired cops that do the same, bail before the paperwork sets in. I was on scene for about a minute to explain things to a trooper once. He still took my license plate # down in that time, got dumb calls regarding that accident 5 years later. Help, leave.

[grampster]

What French G said.  Swmbo and I witnessed a double fatality auto accident.  Called 911, advised them to send medical, fire, police and recommended aeromed standby.  Check veh #1.  Both deceased.  Veh #2, three injured, but not badly.  Extricated two and comforted the 3rd as she was preggers.  As soon as more people arrived and I saw flashing lights approaching, we walked to the car and left.  Accident was obvious as a failure to yield by the veh in which both died.  Didn't need me to be further involved.

[Jamisjockey]

I'm in the camp that doesn't see the outrage. If he received treatment, then he (or his insurance company) should be billed. Who else? He is free to seek reimbursement from the government or from the victims' insurance companies or from some charity, but I don't see the outrage at this hospital. If I were the hospital, maybe I would forego billing him as part of my "goodwill budget", but maybe not. If I were one of the victims he saved, I would pay his bill plus buy him a case of beer (minimum). But the fact that he got billed for being treated, itself, does not strike me as offensive.

This, so much this.

He did something that caused him to be injured, and allowed himself to be examined by paramedics.  He relieved a bill for services rendered. 
The system we should have.

[MechAg94]

I am still curious what they did that they only billed $143. 

[never_retreat]

I'm going to bet this was a bill from the volunteer squad.
I've been reading about them sending bills to try to lower their costs and fundraising. They are usually assuming an insurance company will pay it, most will forgive the bill if you are un insured.
I'm also wiling to bet they sent everyone the same bill at that crash site.

[zxcvbob]

I'm going to bet this was a bill from the volunteer squad.
I've been reading about them sending bills to try to lower their costs and fundraising. They are usually assuming an insurance company will pay it, most will forgive the bill if you are un insured.
I'm also wiling to bet they sent everyone the same bill at that crash site.

Probably $1000 for the ambulance run, and they divided the bill up between everyone at the scene (7 would be just about right)  I would also bet the insurance won't pay for it.

[Ron]

This, so much this.

He did something that caused him to be injured, and allowed himself to be examined by paramedics.  He relieved a bill for services rendered.  
The system we should have.

If you want less of something make it more cost prohibitive.

"No good deed goes unpunished"

If it becomes overly expensive to be a "good Samaritan" then you will get fewer folks stepping into that role. They will remain bystanders or will just continue on their way.

If the good Sam. has health insurance maybe his own insurance would cover care of his injuries.