$$$ why do americans have to pay for medical treatment and batteries etc?

This is why I go back to the original "where's the help for a good cause" thing. Not referring to those African TB trips to save their country.

Call me old school, but I prefer to see docs like the way field medics were described through WW2 - they help you ultimately to help you, with no money involved, no motives - aside from winning the war, if that was on their mind.

The answer!?
Money is the root of all evil.
 
One reason medical bills are so high:

I call it gouging, but it is considered normal business practice:

I demanded, and received, an itemized bill from the hospital. When I found we had been charged $2.50 for a small tube of ointment you and I can walk into the store and buy a 10 ounce bottle of for $1 I proclaimed the markup insane.

Then the head nurse showed me what they are charged for these things. Everyday items you and I can walk into the store and buy large quantities cheaply off the shelves -- The hospital has to pay outrageously over marked prices on for tiny little dabs.

I think hospitals should receive the same discount given to Wal-Mart.
 
Let's see if I can explain this how it was explained to me......

Patient A has no health insurance and has incurred medical bills. They have tried to pay it off but to no avail. After paying as much as they can--they stop paying.

Patient B has health insurance and has incurred medical bills. Patient B pays his/her bills. The doctor overcharges the insurance company to make up for the loss on Patient A. If not--they will send Patient A's medcial bills to collection--more expense on the doctor's part and report it to the credit bureau.
 
Byrdie714 said:
Let's see if I can explain this how it was explained to me......

Patient A has no health insurance and has incurred medical bills. They have tried to pay it off but to no avail. After paying as much as they can--they stop paying.

Patient B has health insurance and has incurred medical bills. Patient B pays his/her bills. The doctor overcharges the insurance company to make up for the loss on Patient A. If not--they will send Patient A's medcial bills to collection--more expense on the doctor's part and report it to the credit bureau.

.
Click to expand...

Once again common business practices. Stores in neighborhoods that have a high shoplifting rate charge higher prices than stores in more honest neighborhoods.
 
Berry said:
Once again common business practices. Stores in neighborhoods that have a high shoplifting rate charge higher prices than stores in more honest neighborhoods.
Click to expand...

Which brings us to another question, When will it all end?

Hence the problem, since it cannot always continue, it will continue till it all collapse which will bring us even more problems with little if any solution that are available.
 
Berry said:
One reason medical bills are so high:

I call it gouging, but it is considered normal business practice:

I demanded, and received, an itemized bill from the hospital. When I found we had been charged $2.50 for a small tube of ointment you and I can walk into the store and buy a 10 ounce bottle of for $1 I proclaimed the markup insane.

Then the head nurse showed me what they are charged for these things. Everyday items you and I can walk into the store and buy large quantities cheaply off the shelves -- The hospital has to pay outrageously over marked prices on for tiny little dabs.

I think hospitals should receive the same discount given to Wal-Mart.
Click to expand...

if i recall correctly from my economic class - price gorging and price discrimination are illegal.
 
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