Comments on: Medical Expenses A Common Cause Of Bankruptcy

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 06:12:16 +0000

I’ve never had to deal with any of these issues because I have always had great insurance, so, I never thought twice about it, until I wanted to leave my current job at UPS. I have been there for five years and only get maybe 15 hours a week at 11.85/hr. I cannot make it on that alone so I have been at full time job after full time job along with UPS for years now and its really getting old. So, I was planning on leaving UPS to work somewhere that pays between 30 to 50 thousand a year depending on mother nature. After crunching some numbers things looked promising until I added in 13,000 a year for family health insurance and that’s before even going to the Dr. Now if I made 30 thousand I would be in the exact same situation I am now…. All I have left to say is something in this system in flawed we are all lead to believe that we are free to pursue happiness ect when we are really just like medieval peasants that work our arsh off for no gain. I and many like me are not greedy we just want a big enough piece of pie to live off of. 13,000 a year for only a single families health insurance is ridiculous. No wonder employers go overseas, employ illegals, not bring in enough help to do a job properly, cut corners, and are such dickheads. They pay more for an employees health insurance then they pay for their yearly hourly wages at around minimum wage. Here Ive been thinking wall street are the thieves and the cause of all the problems in this country now I know they have an accomplice in the healthcare industry and our retarded old Uncle Sam. He may have been great in his prime but now his nieces and nephews are milking him for everything he has and he cannot even remember who he is its time for someone else to take over this Bword Uncle Same cannot function right anymore… And for those of you not following Im trying to say our government cannot help us they need to back to eff off Safe work environments are one thing giving people foodstamps, welfare, free healthcare, cash assistance, etc is another. We made it out of one depression just fine… Some would call it greatest generation fine we can do it again. Things are born things sometimes thrive but everything has an end. Its time we nail a do not resuscitate note to the door and let whatever happens happen because for every ending there is a new beginning and it is always a struggle at first but it sure beats the hell out of trying to live a few more days, months, or years on oxygen, hear attacks, strokes, diabetes, just let the old man die already so that we can all start a new he had a good run now please lets pull the plug on Uncle Sam. I heard Uncle Tom is a pretty cool guy lets follow him.

By: Tammie Pulley

Tammie Pulley — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:55:29 +0000

Personal Experience: I’m a 100 % self supporting single mom, middle class, who had 2 major medical events in the past 5 years; a child’s temporary disability and myself breast cancer. I had insurance but because of the uncovered cost PLUS living expenses not covered by disability – I suffered. I sold my home before I completely lost it, used up the equity to pay above costs. Now I’m 48 years old and looking at how to recover my nest egg. I didn’t go bankrupt but our standard of living is gone and we pray we do not have another event. Please do not be critical of hard working people who have lost everything due to medical expenses. I would be willing to go on the “Canada” plan. Thanks!

By: Java Monster

Java Monster — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:07:39 +0000

Last year I decided to keep close track on our co-pays and monthly billings. We were covered with an incredible package with a low co-pay.

At the end of the year, we spent about $13,000 on health insurance through a very generous employer. That includes the medication, the premium we paid (which was less than 1/3 of our current COBRA payments). The point? Even if you have excellent coverage, and it’s subsidized by an employer, it’s still going to cost a bundle to stay covered.

By: Credit Card Chaser

Credit Card Chaser — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:30:46 +0000

What is really unfortunate is when people fall for the discount health card scams and think that they have true health insurance but then when they have a large medical bill then they find out that their “health insurance” is really just a discount card. Sticking with a large and trusted provider like United Healthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross, etc. really is the way to go.

By: Linette

Linette — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:38:32 +0000

While this is not a subject to be laughed at, I have to laugh. My father tells me the story of when I was born all the time and that I cost him over $20,000 in the late 70′s. He had insurance, but it didn’t cover premature me. He tells me how he went into the hospital and told them “F—- You I am only going to pay you $10 a month, that is all I can afford”. He says the hospital didn’t like that so he told them “F— you”! LOL, I wish it was that easy today. He finally paid my bill off when I was around 14 or so. I still thank him every birthday.

By: rob in madrid

rob in madrid — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:04:36 +0000

Wow! pretty impressive considering the tone of the healthcare debate of recent, no yelling, no personal responsibility bashing, just alot of thoughtful comments!

By: Lisa Clark

Lisa Clark — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:24:56 +0000

Just had some minor surgery and as I am paying off debt I am so thankful for free health care – the NHS may not be perfect but it is free.
[Of cause I do pay for it via my taxes but you know what I mean]

By: Nancy from Mass

Nancy from Mass — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:21:59 +0000

Patti, How is the hospital prohibited from talking to me when they send me a bill with a phone number on it?
I can just see how easy it could be for someone to go bankrupt from medical bills.

By: julie

julie — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:25:01 +0000

wow, another reason that i thank god that i am canadian. for me and all of the other people who live in the first world outside of the united states, this is not a reality that i will ever have to face. it is hard for me to imagine a life were if i were ill i would have to choose whether or not to see a doctor based on my finances. i believe that in canada and in europe, basic health care is seen as a right and not a priveledge, therefore it is the responsibility of the government to provide this service.

By: AndyM

AndyM — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:12:14 +0000

Mr. X has a good point, albeit very frank and oversimplified.

There are numerous avenues that patients may take to defray costs associated with expensive medical procedures. Further legislation regarding health care reform will only complicate the issue. Furthermore, no one is more capable than the individual (or patient guardian) of personal health management. A doctor, private or socialized, will not genuinely advocate on behalf of any patient. Physicians and other health care experts are technical advisers, strict practitioners, and basically far too overtasked to determine a definite course of action without patient input.

Finally, as a taxpayer, I would rebuke those who propose swift changes to the national health care scheme. My money is mine alone, and should be allotted to those under my own auspices. Given the opportunity, I would also phase out the systems of Medicare and Social Security.