I'm one person who was lucky to have decent health insurance!

[imanamerican63]

Just last year alone: I was in the hospital with a kidney infection due to food poison. Then after that I began to have issues with my leg and ankle, it was because arthritis and other issues started to cause me from putting weight on it. So in December I had to have my ankle fused to my lower part of my leg! All in all, the total medical bills were over $50,000.00 then throw in meds and other medical supplies pushing upwards of $60,000.00. Now that is not portion! I was lucky to meet my deductible for the year and only had pay about $6,000.00! I have a decent plan, but what I do have is a Godsend. I wish all Americans could have adequate medical insurance, because these cost are getting out of control from the doctors to pharmaceutical companies!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Health insurance companies negotiate good rates with hospitals.

If your insurance company paid 60,000, then the same procedures on an uninsured person would produce a bill of a few hundred thousand.

I had a procedure done, required a night in the hospital. They screwed up the insurance submission, and the insurance company denied the claim. I found this out when the hospital sent me a bill for about $25,000. After some back-and-forth, the hospital resubmitted (correctly this time) to the insurance company. I got a statement from the hospital: the insurance company paid in full, I owed nothing. The insurance company paid about $3,500. What a deal!

Yes, we all need insurance, or single-payer.

[imanamerican63]

2. Exactly my point!