My youngest daughter is a senior at The Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) She has had a few minor cardiac issues over the last few years, so she's a bit twitchy when her heartbeat starts to race. A week or two ago, she was hyperventilating, and experiencing a rapid heartbeat, so she decided to go to the ER at The Ohio State University Hospital. We got the bill last week... $2900.00! See below the squiggle for more details about what it's gonna cost us out of pocket, and what is so wrong about our healthcare system....
She had some tests (blood, EKG), nothing found, and was sent home. She spent a couple hours at the ER and she's fine. She is of the opinion that all of the stress she was dealing with caused whatever was concerning her (it was finals week).
Our family is exceptionally lucky -I work for a Japanese company here in the US, that offers really really excellent healthcare to it's employees and family members. Our company offered insurance policy was pro-active before the ACA made insurance companies be pro-active. We've always had physicals either at no cost, or $10.00 co-pay, vaccinations no cost, pro-active procedures such as colonoscopies at 90%, etc. As I said, we're exceptionally lucky to have this.
Our cost for my daughter's evening in the ER? $78.00. Yes. $78.00.
Mitt Romney, during the 2012 Presidental campaign, said that an ER could suffice as health care for the uninsured. Not at $2900.00 a pop, it can't! If i could show the politicians who believe that an ER is an acceptable substitute for primary care this bill for a couple hours in an ER, and maybe get them to understand WHY something like the ACA , or even better, single payer is absolutely necessary for the US, I'd be happy. But unfortunately, too many politicians, and the mega insurance providers, who have these selfsame politicians in their pockets, cannot see the importance of providing affordable health care for their constituitents. This really focuses my attention on what is so wrong with healthcare in the US.
2:20 PM PT: here's a breakdown of costs at OSU's Med Center ER
ER facility fee 1479.00 This is just for walking in to the ER treatment area
Lab work 782.00
Radiology 385.00
EKG 299.00
total 2945.10