Uninsurable Because Of Diabetes, Now Paying Off $37,000 Hospital Bill To Collection Agency

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 31 Oct 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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"I have a chronic illness, diabetes Type 1, and have been uninsured for about four years due to this fact," said Sharyn Kaye of Albuquerque, N. M. "There is a rider on any insurance I apply for because of my diabetes. I have been healthy and use preventative measures to stay that way."

"Last summer, I had a hypoglycemic attack, which caused me to be hospitalized. I was in the hospital for four days and I received a bill for $37,000, which eventually was forwarded to a collection agency. I paid minimum payments to the hospital, and each time I paid they didn't let me know what my balance was or any information for that matter. I was never seen by a case manager or any other individual that might have given me a way to resolve this."

"At the present time, I am unemployed, looking for a job, yet still have to maintain payments to the collection agency as well as an Emergency Physicians Group. This has been the most horrendous experience of my life! I always had health insurance. Now, I have none. What a system we live in."

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Eighty-two percent of Americans think the U.S. healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt (Commonwealth Fund, Aug. 7, 2008). America's nurses know that only single-payer, improved and expanded Medicare for all will fix our broken system and the tragedy of our devastated families. HR 676, by U.S. Rep John Conyers, is the most comprehensive, cost effective way to achieve guaranteed healthcare for all.

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