The Wall Street Journal did a story and posted a blog recently about a patient in Texas who has leukemia and was asked for $45,000 up front before even being seen by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and then another $60,000 up front to begin chemotherapy treatment. And the patient had insurance. But unfortunately, the patient's limited-benefit plan, underwritten by United Health and marketed by AARP, only covers $37,000 a year in benefits, so the hospital refused to bill the insurance company and demanded payment up front. This is part of an increasing trend of hospitals demanding cash up front for treatment, as they are swimming in rising mountains of bad debt.
Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) is usually a pretty practical guy, but has a temper and gets frustrated when he hears about such things. When this patient appeared via video link before the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley seemed to suggest that hospitals such as M.D. Anderson, which receive some government funding, should provide more charity care. I am glad Senator Grassley shares America's frustrations, but don't we need some more comprehensive solution to America's health care problems than saying hospitals should just provide more charity care?
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