Original article here...
Kagen's bill, the Transparency in All Health Care Pricing Act of 2010, would require any individual or business offering health care- related products or services to openly disclose all of their prices at all times, including on the Internet.Jesus. A $40,000 difference. The funny thing is, he probably received the same type/level or post operative care at the cheaper hospital than he did at the more expensive hospital.Testifying before the subcommittee, Kagen, D-Appleton, a physician, told colleagues that transparency would increase competition, which in turn would lower costs. Kagen cited a recent news report in which a Northern California man had both knees replaced by the same doctor at different hospitals. One replacement cost $95,000; the other was $55,000.
Honestly, I think this has got to be one of the biggest problems with the medical system in the US. Last time I was in the hospital (Wrist x-ray after a car accident. Strong bones FTW) I was told upfront that it would cost $85 (I told them that I had no health care at the time. ) to have five x-rays taken of the wrist (different angles). The bill that I got later was much different, (I faxed them my car insurance info. My friend was the one driving. PA car insurance laws are shite.) a couple hundred dollars more in fact. It just pisses me off that some hospitals can get away with gouging the shit out of people when they have health insurance, and still charging absurd, albeit less, amounts of money to people who don't. The worst part is that they're not even consistent with that!
So, what do you guys think? For the bill, against it? Anything else we can do to help the system? Canadians, EU, and Aussies are more than welcome to join in...
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