It’s a false narrative though. Almost every hospital has an indigent worker that will help forgive ALL of your hospital bills given the proper situation. Low income, uninsured, life threatening condition… these are just some of the things that can get you out of that debt free in the US.

The problem is most people in the US are too lazy or not informed enough of these loopholes. However they are available pretty much everywhere to my knowledge (which although isn’t first hand but is also pretty extensive since my mother was a social worker for a hospital handling indigent cases for 35 years).

You can't see a Doctor in the US without insurance unless it's some kind of emergency. They don't let you check in for an appointment without insurance unless you pay cash up front at check-in. The poor at least have to opt into a social safety net program prior.

A bit tangent to your post but I think people don't understand US spends health care money on research, preventative care, and emergency care. The institutions pushing research are arguably at the higher end of the quality spectrum. Elite medical tourism communities

This post was edited by RedFromWinter on Apr 8 2025 05:22am

Who told you this? You guys are getting ran over like possums. I take my father in law to see a doctor every week and he has no insurance or income at Scott & White probably the biggest hospital chain in Texas.

As I said all you got to do is take 20 minutes of your time to talk to the indigent worker.

This post was edited by MadMan87 on Apr 8 2025 05:24am

Essentia Health

Standard Yearly Preventative care Physical was billed as $817 as someone in billing is a moron. Now $0 with insurance. The WOULD not let me check in until paid or insurance taken

This post was edited by RedFromWinter on Apr 8 2025 05:25am

Did you talk to a hospitals specific indigent worker or just take Essential Health’s word for it? Their job is to prevent loss.The worker’s job is to help people.

Unusually talk to the receptionists, but they replaced them with self service kiosks. It was a mess

Yeah you need to look into that deeper. This is the stuff I’m talking about they treat it like a mafia style business but there are loopholes. Next time you go to the area near the hospital ask for the person who handles their indigent cases.

You will need to provide:

Proof of income (or just state you have none if it’s true)

An estimate value of ALL your monthly costs.

Usually in Texas if all your monthly costs take up all but $999 (can be even more) of your income you can get it forgiven. However it’s very similar in Missouri as well. I highly suggest at least looking into it and not letting the people who are trying to get your money bully you.

You may have too much income. It’s possible. There are thresholds that’s why it’s for people who really need the help not people that just want to avoid fees.

The core concept of insurance is pure socialist at heart, collect from many (covered individuals) and redistribute to the needy (sick).

-the u.s. system currently takes advantage of the social concept and capitalism concept at the same time, these 2 iopposite deologies create the ripe conditions for the (covered individual) to get screwed at the benefit of the corporations...

-insurance shouldn't be run for profit, period,

-This why we had uhc making billions in a quartetr when they were actively denying people life saving care?

-whatever new system is proposed, it shouldn't be for profit, but to maximize care

-also becareful about making an assumption or something close to it based on 1 person you spoke to (not sure if that was your intent here, if not my apologies)

This post was edited by Vaatu on Apr 8 2025 05:44am

I have heard pitches for direct primary care memberships before which make a lot of sense for people keen to stay up on their preventative care or perhaps need more regular labs and checkups. I think these pitches still don't cover the most extreme needs though.

The conspiracy theory at the corporate offices around employer provider health plans has been around them offering incentivized wellness checks. Like $500 to HSA if you let doctors look at you. The end conspiracy speculation being cost based on personal health choices. Our average department weight was heavier than the Patriots line. Oldest guy was actually the healthiest lol

This post was edited by RedFromWinter on Apr 8 2025 05:57am