Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Hawkmoon on June 24, 2016, 11:06:38 AM

Title: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: Hawkmoon on June 24, 2016, 11:06:38 AM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: zxcvbob on June 24, 2016, 11:15:59 AM
It doesn't say the treated his hand, just looked at it.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: brimic on June 24, 2016, 11:17:20 AM
$143 is a paltry sum on the balance when you know you did right.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: wmenorr67 on June 24, 2016, 11:45:40 AM
$143 is a paltry sum on the balance when you know you did right.

Still bullshit.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: brimic on June 24, 2016, 11:55:57 AM
Still bullshit.

Then who pays for the medical services? Should it come out of Obama's stash?
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: Balog on June 24, 2016, 12:14:31 PM
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.  ???
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: HankB on June 24, 2016, 12:14:55 PM
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?

Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: wmenorr67 on June 24, 2016, 12:42:30 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: MechAg94 on June 24, 2016, 01:35:23 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: wmenorr67 on June 24, 2016, 01:44:43 PM
Quote
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: roo_ster on June 24, 2016, 02:37:38 PM
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?
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: Mannlicher on June 24, 2016, 04:25:46 PM
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.   :)
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: De Selby on June 24, 2016, 05:26:44 PM
Wow, they must have given him some discount.  The last time I got a set of stitches it was $3000.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: Andiron on June 24, 2016, 05:46:56 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: Perd Hapley on June 24, 2016, 06:19:50 PM
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.  :mad: ;)
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: Hawkmoon on June 24, 2016, 08:40:06 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: De Selby on June 24, 2016, 11:12:40 PM
Unpossible,  you've told us repeatedly how much better and cheaper/free everything is under socialism.

That was in the United States
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: zahc on June 25, 2016, 02:17:53 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: French G. on June 25, 2016, 02:33:27 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: grampster on June 25, 2016, 06:39:49 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: Jamisjockey on June 26, 2016, 09:39:42 AM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: MechAg94 on June 26, 2016, 10:08:58 AM
I am still curious what they did that they only billed $143. 
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: never_retreat on June 26, 2016, 12:13:44 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: zxcvbob on June 26, 2016, 12:17:44 PM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: Ron on June 27, 2016, 09:43:10 AM
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.
Title: Re: Symptomatic of the malaise of the U.S.
Post by: zxcvbob on June 27, 2016, 10:47:43 AM
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.

I'll bet the health insurance will say his auto insurance should pay for it, and the auto insurance will say he wasn't involved in the accident so they're not responsible.