Poll: Millions of Americans Would Avoid Covid-19 Treatment Over Cost $ Fears; 30K Intens. Care Av.
'Poll Shows Tens of Millions of Americans Would Avoid Covid-19 Treatment Over Cost Fears.' "A country that puts people in this situation is not a country upholding its responsibility to its citizens." Jake Johnson, Common Dreams, 4/29/20.
A Gallup poll out Tuesday indicates that tens of millions of U.S. adults would avoid seeking potentially life-saving medical treatment for Covid-19 symptoms due to fears about their ability to afford the associated costs.
- A medical assistant administers a Covid-19 test to a fellow employee.
The survey results were viewed as an alarming though not surprising signal that America's uniquely expensive for-profit healthcare systemwhich has produced numerous horror stories of coronavirus patients being hit with massive surprise medical billscould be forcing millions of people to forego medical care for the deadly and highly infectious virus.
"One out of every seven (14%) U.S. adults report that they would avoid seeking healthcare for a fever and a dry cough for themselves or a member of their household due to concerns about their ability to pay for it," Gallup found. "When framed explicitly as believing to have been infected by the novel coronavirus, 9% still report that they would avoid seeking care."
"Adults under 30, non-whites, those with a high school education or less, and those in households with incomes under $40,000 per year are the groups most likely to indicate they would avoid seeking out care," Gallup reported.
"This is terrifying," tweeted Bill Sweeney, senior vice president of government affairs with AARP Advocates.
Louise Aronson, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said on Twitter "a country that puts people in this situation is not a country upholding its responsibility to its citizens."
This is the opposite of good. https://t.co/76L17qfUfl Augie Lindmark, MD (@AugieLindmark) April 28, 2020
According to a study released earlier this month by America's Health Insurance Plans, an insurance industry trade group, the average cost of coronavirus treatment for patients admitted to intensive care could exceed $30,000.
The terror that U.S. medical costs have induced in coronavirus patients was vividly captured earlier in April by New York City registered nurse anesthetist Derrick Smith. In a viral social media post and subsequent press interviews,
Smith told the tragic story of a man dying of Covid-19 who asked, "Who's going to pay for it?" as he was placed on a ventilator. Smith said he does not know if the patient survived but believes it is "pretty unlikely." "I was very sad and honestly, a little horrified," Smith told CNN. "This demonstrates that we have a profound failure when one has to worry about their finances when they're dealing with much bigger issues that have to do with life or death."
The multi-trillion-dollar CARES Act that President Donald Trump signed into law last month included provisions aimed at requiring private insurers to make Covid-19 testing free for customers, but people could still be hit with large bills if they are tested by an out-of-network entity. Some major insurers, including Cigna and Humana, have vowed to waive out-of-pocket coronavirus treatment costs.
As for the tens of millions of people in the U.S. without health insurancea number that is growing rapidly as mass layoffs continuethe Trump administration has vowed to use an unspecified amount of hospital funds from the CARES Act to cover coronavirus treatment costs for the uninsured.
Progressives argue that more systematic solutions are necessary to ensure that everyone in the U.S. is able to receive the treatment they need, for coronavirus and other ailments, without worrying about the potential costs...
More, https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/29/poll-shows-tens-millions-americans-would-avoid-covid-19-treatment-over-cost-fears
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)co-insurance on treatment. If sick with suspected CV19, get to hospital. Odds are, hospitals wont try to collect from you, and if they do, plenty will help fight it.
appalachiablue
(41,169 posts)treatment by first responders, paramedics, etc., apart from treatment billing in too many cases. There's confusion and word isn't getting to people, first responders, hospital staff well enough. Case in point:
30 Yr Old Teacher Dies of Coronavirus April 27, After Being Denied Test Twice
https://democraticunderground.com/10142482956
Fever and breathing problem symptoms & history of asthma, hypertension- bogus dismissal as a 'panic attack.'
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Aetna, Cigna, etc., are waiving treatment copays.
The teacher, even if diagnosed properly, would not have been admitted unless in respiratory distress.
appalachiablue
(41,169 posts)that of other media sources lets us know the reality of what's happening in these situations and more fortunately.
It's not about 'what's supposed to be' or what's on the books, on paper.
In no advanced country or place should this woman have been twice misdiagnosed and dismissed for treatment with her symptoms and history, as is the case of other people.
Using 'panic attack' is unfortunately an ugly yet common misdiagnosis to dismiss people in medical distress in non- epidemic/crisis times. A friend complaining of pain in the left arm went to paramedics and was denied treatment just this way, it was 'only a panic attack' they said. In reality he was suffering from serious heart disease and died alone of a massive heart attack a few weeks later.
The problem is the inept, corrupt administration in office, media consolidation and the complex, ineffective so-called 'system' of 'health care' in the U.S. directed by mostly private health insurance giants in this country that reeks.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)100%. If someone holds off going to hospital after their sorry reporting, its on CD.
The woman wasnt dismissed for lack of coverage. She wasnt admitted because she didnt have signs of CV19. Thats a tragedy of poor testing for a new virus.
Personally, I wish everyone were covered for everything, just like CV19.
CD should at least update their inaccurate article in case someone makes the wrong decision after reading this junk.
Cartaphelius
(868 posts)It is every one, no matter your affiliation, that pays taxes. We
pay for everything. We pay for the rich to treat us like shit and
we for those of rich OR poor that doesn't pay taxes as well as
their wet dreams for our spare change.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)income taxes. While they should pay more, particularly in Estate Taxes and capital gains, and recent tax cuts should be eliminated, they are paying for a lot of this. As it should be.
Cartaphelius
(868 posts)The rate of 70% is limited to a very few. Of those, I imagine
are true Americans following the proper and expected
intent of the law.
The rest, like these companies receiving Federal Aid during
the pandemic, don't qualify, but that doesn't stop them.
Never has, never will. They will pursue their right to as
much as they can "steal" from everyone possible.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Not talking tax rate. In fact, the top 20% of earners pay 87% of income taxes paid in this country.
Cartaphelius
(868 posts)don't have a choice. However, their contributions pale in
comparison those that can pay for tax attorneys by the bus
load. When that doesn't work and they want even more
money, they fire the attorneys and buy politicians to change
the laws.
Proof is in the Panama Papers and it has gone on for thousands
of years.
If the rich paid their taxes like a poor man, there wouldn't be
any more poor people.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)80% of us.
Cartaphelius
(868 posts)Stay safe.
BigmanPigman
(51,626 posts)on a ventilator for 3 weeks. A lot of people will not go to get help thinking that they will not be able to afford it. This doctor said hospitals are going to be bankrupted. People do not know that they will likely be covered because the govt does not want them to know. Covered CA and Bl Shield run ads in CA but tRump has stopped such info from getting to the masses in most areas. He doesn't want people to go and get help.
appalachiablue
(41,169 posts)Very valuable, thanks for posting.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Hospital will write off the rest, and still make money.
BigmanPigman
(51,626 posts)or "poor" insur companies in my life and still don't. They have $$$ in their dead eyes and cold hearts. It all boils down to the almighty dollar in the good ol' USA. That has never changed in my 57 years on Earth and it won't change in my lifetime.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)hospital standards to avoid spreading disease and overloading system.
Igel
(35,350 posts)a lot of people would rather risk their lives and the lives of those around them than spend a lot of money or face financial ruin.