Thom Hartmann: WTF - One Hospital Charges $8k, Another $38k...?!

[thomhartmann]

Depending on which hospital you go to - you could be paying as much as $100,000 dollars or as little as $11,000 dollars for the same procedure. Conservatives love to argue that "America has the best healthcare system in the world" and that we really don't need healthcare reform at all. Well - the numbers seem to say otherwise.

The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann on RT TV & FSTV "live" 9pm and 11pm check www.thomhartmann.com/tv for local listings

[jjewell]

1. Now I understand...

why the GOP/TP is so bitterly opposed to "Obamacare".

As usual, "just follow the money"...

Now that we have the data, make them explain the extreme variances and discrepancies.

[tridim]

2. I believe the Internet community can solve this problem, via facts and public shame.

If one McDonald's charges 1000% more than another it would be out of business within days. Hospitals get a free ride, at least until now.

This is why the ACA is a good thing even though it isn't perfect. It is exposing all the bullshit in our health care system.

[dotymed]

3. Thank you Thomm, you just make too much sense.

In our fascist country you are a heretic, so am I.
Our local hospital is strictly for profit. No insurance? No cash? Suffer and die. Incidentally, they have the highest mortality rate in the state of TN.
I have heart failure and have been forced to go there twice to be stabilized and then sent to Vanderbilt, where my cardiologist is. The charges at Vanderbilt are significantly lower also and they are much, much better.
I did leave our local hospital AMA one time after receiving very unprofessional "help." They knew that I would be sent to Vanderbilt and pretty much tortured me while I could not stop them. When they informed me that the ambulance to take me to Vanderbilt would be there in about 4 hours, I left and had my brother take me. It is a one hour drive.
How these corporations can continue to cause more harm than good is bizarre. Since medical care has become a for profit venture, compassionate Dr.'s are very hard to find. Most of them have died off (in my case anyway).
Dr.'s are now the equivalent of what priests were, centuries ago. A guaranteed way to become wealthy (comparatively) and have a high social standing in your community.

For Dr.'s who really want to help people, Thank you. You are priceless.

[Quantess]

4. Out of control!

We all suspected as much. Now we know for sure.