It doesn’t come from your taxes. Hospitals make up the difference by increasing overall fees, which are mostly covered by insurance companies, who then increase the cost their premiums … to the individuals. i.e. you.
That’s not the point. You tax money is not paying for your health insurance, but your health insurance is paying for those unpaid bills because the cost of that unreimbursed service being passed onto you through higher fees.
In the case of this OP. Taxpayers are paying the bill. Bankruptcy also costs the taxpayer. Rising medical bills also impact Medicare… which is funded by my tax dollars.
Should hospitals be able to refuse medical care if the person in need doesn’t have the ability to pay or insurance?
It’s not into the weeds. It’s in relation to the OP.
The OP is talking about paying off medical collection debt. Debt that was accrued by patients who did not have the money or insurance to pay for emergency services.
Asking if someone who opposes helping clear the debt, also think hospitals should be able to refuse services is completely relevant.
Lots of people have answered, no they shouldn’t. I agree with that. What about you?
This is great news. As someone that pays out a crap ton in medical expenses I do not begrudge anyone getting assistance with medical debt.
I am fortunate that I can pay my medical debt. When I have to go down the payment plan route, I set up payments to go directly out of my HSA and increase my HSA contribution by the agreed amount via payroll deduction. That way the bill gets paid and I benefit by reducing my tax liability on my pay. Win-win.
The real life hack if you’re broke is to send in one dollar a month on your bill. As long as you are making an attempt to pay, they cannot put it on your credit report nor take you to the magistrate. Then you just wait out the seven years.
I think it’s adorable that people think the price of medical services has anything to do with actual costs. It’s all a big scam they work with the insurance companies. Unless you think a bag of saltwater costs $140
You know how bad they’re ripping you off? When I finally settled in court after I got run over, I had a hundred grand in medical bills and the hospital settled for five cents on the dollar without blinking, first time asked, no negotiation.
In America it’s a real thing. When I was first a medic it wasn’t unusual for EMT-Basics especially not to be able to afford health insurance at all and they taught me that.