Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

U.S. Healthcare Dilemma: Woman Charged $688 for 7-Hour Emergency Room Wait Without Treatment

mememedia Views  

① The Cost of Waiting in U.S. Emergency Rooms

Daily Mail

American hospital bills are notoriously infamous for their high costs. Many Americans are falling into debt and forgoing treatment due to these excessive costs. Recently, a case that sparked a debate in the U.S. involved the cost of waiting in the emergency room.

Taylor Davis, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, visited an emergency room after injuring her head. She waited seven hours after registration but returned home without a doctor seeing her. However, a few weeks later, Davis received a hospital bill for $688.35.

At first, she thought there had been a mistake and contacted the hospital. The hospital informed her that the bill was for the emergency room visit. They explained that their policy charges a fee for registering in the emergency room, regardless of whether one receives treatment. Also, they stated, “Charges are incurred before the examination.”

Davis expressed her frustration, saying, “No one called my name at the hospital. I didn’t receive any treatment.” She added that she would think twice before going to a hospital in the future.

U.S. Medical Costs / Daily Mail

Davis brought this issue to the media, and as the press began to investigate, the hospital stated that they would look into the matter. The hospital announced, “Our team is investigating this issue and will take follow-up actions directly with the individual concerned.”

The incident sparked a major debate among Americans. Locals commented, “Paying for health insurance on a fixed income is not easy for me, but it’s necessary for peace of mind when I’m sick,” “I won’t pay it and will see them in court. They can’t do this to people,” and “Can this be considered fair?”

One person criticized the dire reality of healthcare in the U.S., saying, “I haven’t been able to afford insurance since 2008 and haven’t been to a hospital since. I’ve been praying for my health ever since. Our healthcare is a disgrace, and this should never happen.”

② The Reality of Not Going to the Hospital Even When Sick

Vox

Many people in the U.S. do not go to the hospital due to the burden of medical costs. Significantly, many seniors without a fixed income are not receiving proper medical services due to fear of hospital bills.
Bloomberg cited a joint survey by research firm Gallup and nonprofit senior care organization West Health, revealing that many seniors aged 65 and over refuse essential medical services.

Some respondents admitted to skipping their prescribed medication to save money. Bloomberg predicted that the number of Americans who cannot afford medical costs will continue to increase. The issue of medical expenses in the U.S. affects not only seniors but many Americans.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this issue even more, with one American revealing that a two-month hospital stay due to COVID-19 resulted in a bill of $1.12 million.

Another woman, after a four-month hospital stay, said she received a bill for over $2.85 million. Both individuals had insurance.

wwltv

The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is unimaginable in South Korea. Checking a temperature costs about $110, an IV and CT scan costs around $13,000, and gallbladder removal surgery costs about $42,000 – these prices are incomparable to those in South Korea.

Furthermore, critics have accused some hospitals of overcharging for medical costs. They even charge for absurd reasons like emotional labor. One woman living in the U.S. said a charge of about $2,070 appeared for an uncomplicated pregnancy test during her tumor removal surgery under the name of ‘women’s services.’ Another American revealed receiving a charge of about $42 for an ’emotional behavior assessment’ when they cried during a consultation with a doctor.

③ The Most Expensive Healthcare in the World

New York Times

Healthcare costs in the U.S. are the highest in the world. Because healthcare insurance in the U.S. is privatized, insurance premiums are incredibly high. The enrollment process is also complicated, and some cannot easily afford insurance due to the burden of premiums.

The U.S. is known for its unclear hospital fee-setting system and high variations in medical costs between hospitals. Currently, the U.S. is implementing regulations that require hospitals to disclose standard medical costs to improve the practice of setting medical fees. However, many places still do not tell legal medical costs.

By. Seo Sung Min

mememedia
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[LIFESTYLE] Latest Stories

  • Why Dehydration Could Be More Dangerous in Winter Than You Think – Here's How to Stay Hydrated
  • Shocking Truth: 100 Deaths a Year in New Delhi Due to Unbearable Air Pollution
  • How Social Media Can Improve Mental Health: New Study Offers Hope for Teens
  • Preventing Fires This Fall: Steps to Protect Your Space in Cold Weather
  • Ultimate Blender Cleaning Hack: Just Use Eggshells and Vinegar
  • Why Winter Brings on Hemorrhoids—and How to Ease the Pain

Weekly Best Articles

  • Pizza or Nightmare? China’s Goblin Pizza Leaves Diners Shuddering
  • North Korea’s Secret Talks with Putin: What’s Really Going On Between the Two Countries?
  • Judge in Shanghai Calls Cryptos ‘Commodities,’ But Cautions Against Speculation and Crime
  • President Yoon’s Interpreter Faces Off with Brazilian Security in Tense G20 Moment
  • North Korean Soldiers Accused of Gang-Raping Russian Student During Training
  • North Korea’s Hidden Nuclear Plans Revealed – And They’re More Dangerous Than We Thought
  • North Korean Leader’s Nuclear Threats Intensify as Troops Engage in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
  • Ukraine Just Got Its Deadliest Weapon—Is This the Most Dangerous Move Yet?
  • NIS Hints at Kim Jong Un’s Visit to Russia—Could Major Weapons Transfers Be Next?
  • U.S. Faces $3.4 Billion Economic Loss as China Tightens Control Over Essential Tech Minerals
  • Putin Sends 70+ Animals to North Korea’s Zoo—Including Female Lions
  • Walmart’s Sales Soar to $169.59 Billion – What’s Driving Their Record Growth?

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Walmart’s Sales Soar to $169.59 Billion – What’s Driving Their Record Growth?

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Ford Announces 4,000 Job Cuts in Europe Amid Struggles with Electric Vehicle Transition

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    Historic Agreement Signed in Pyongyang to Boost Trade and Science with Russia

    ASIA 

  • 4
    New Crypto Mining Ban Hits Russia: Full Restrictions for Key Areas Due to Power Shortages

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Huawei’s Struggle to Keep Up: U.S. Sanctions Threaten China’s Semiconductor Ambitions

    BUSINESS 

Popular Now

  • 1
    North Korea and Russia Meet for Crucial Trade Talks—Here’s What Happened

    ASIA&nbsp

  • 2
    Israeli Man, 71, Dies in Hezbollah Ambush After Crossing into Lebanon in Military Uniform

    WORLD&nbsp

  • 3
    U.S. Embassy Closes, Orders Evacuation Over Airstrike Intelligence

    WORLD&nbsp

  • 4
    NVIDIA's Explosive Growth: 94% Revenue Jump and a $19.3 Billion Profit

    BUSINESS&nbsp

  • 5
    New UK and U.S. Weapons Target Russia—What Does North Korea Think of These Strategic Strikes?

    LATEST&nbsp

Weekly Best Articles

  • Pizza or Nightmare? China’s Goblin Pizza Leaves Diners Shuddering
  • North Korea’s Secret Talks with Putin: What’s Really Going On Between the Two Countries?
  • Judge in Shanghai Calls Cryptos ‘Commodities,’ But Cautions Against Speculation and Crime
  • President Yoon’s Interpreter Faces Off with Brazilian Security in Tense G20 Moment
  • North Korean Soldiers Accused of Gang-Raping Russian Student During Training
  • North Korea’s Hidden Nuclear Plans Revealed – And They’re More Dangerous Than We Thought
  • North Korean Leader’s Nuclear Threats Intensify as Troops Engage in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
  • Ukraine Just Got Its Deadliest Weapon—Is This the Most Dangerous Move Yet?
  • NIS Hints at Kim Jong Un’s Visit to Russia—Could Major Weapons Transfers Be Next?
  • U.S. Faces $3.4 Billion Economic Loss as China Tightens Control Over Essential Tech Minerals
  • Putin Sends 70+ Animals to North Korea’s Zoo—Including Female Lions
  • Walmart’s Sales Soar to $169.59 Billion – What’s Driving Their Record Growth?

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Walmart’s Sales Soar to $169.59 Billion – What’s Driving Their Record Growth?

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Ford Announces 4,000 Job Cuts in Europe Amid Struggles with Electric Vehicle Transition

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    Historic Agreement Signed in Pyongyang to Boost Trade and Science with Russia

    ASIA 

  • 4
    New Crypto Mining Ban Hits Russia: Full Restrictions for Key Areas Due to Power Shortages

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Huawei’s Struggle to Keep Up: U.S. Sanctions Threaten China’s Semiconductor Ambitions

    BUSINESS 

Popular Now

  • 1
    North Korea and Russia Meet for Crucial Trade Talks—Here’s What Happened

    ASIA 

  • 2
    Israeli Man, 71, Dies in Hezbollah Ambush After Crossing into Lebanon in Military Uniform

    WORLD 

  • 3
    U.S. Embassy Closes, Orders Evacuation Over Airstrike Intelligence

    WORLD 

  • 4
    NVIDIA's Explosive Growth: 94% Revenue Jump and a $19.3 Billion Profit

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    New UK and U.S. Weapons Target Russia—What Does North Korea Think of These Strategic Strikes?

    LATEST