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24-year-old Cincinnati father died from a tooth infection this week because he couldn't afford his medication,
Quote:
Willis story is not unique. In 2007, 12-year-old Deamonte Driver also died when a tooth infection spread to his brain. The Maryland boy underwent two operations and six weeks of hospital care, totaling $250,000. Doctors said a routine $80 tooth extraction could have saved his life. His family was uninsured and had recently lost its Medicaid benefits, keeping Deamonte from having dental surgery.
These two people would not have died if they received earlier treatment for their tooth infection. They couldn't afford the treatment and they didnt have insurance. Instead, they ended up in the ER and died but this cost the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars. All they needed was a $100 operation and a prescription of antibiotics.
Of course, the families of these people are not blameless. Why was the 24 year old unemployed? How come he or his family couldn't come up with a couple of hundred for an operation?
One does not need insurance to get treatment. What's your point? I was SELF insured for 20 years and paid my own and my family's medical bills. Am I supposed to pay for yours too?
These two people would not have died if they received earlier treatment for their tooth infection. They couldn't afford the treatment and they didnt have insurance. Instead, they ended up in the ER and died but this cost the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars. All they needed was a $100 operation and a prescription of antibiotics.
Of course, the families of these people are not blameless. Why was the 24 year old unemployed? How come he or his family couldn't come up with a couple of hundred for an operation?
One does not need insurance to get treatment. What's your point? I was SELF insured for 20 years and paid my own and my family's medical bills. Am I supposed to pay for yours too?
How could they get insurance when they didn't have any money to pay for it?
The pharmacist doesn't hand you pills if you don't pay, try it some time.
Certainly doesn't save any money when an infection that could be cured with $20 of antibiotics results in $250,000 in hospital bills. How smart is not kicking in a little bit in taxes so you can save a life, and since you care only about money...$250,000 in related costs you need to foot now due to cost shifting?
One does not need insurance to get treatment. What's your point? I was SELF insured for 20 years and paid my own and my family's medical bills. Am I supposed to pay for yours too?
My point is do we just cover the leechers of society or do we say "sorry you're on your own".
Many of them will end up in the ER and cost the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars that you and I will have to pay for anyway.
The boy in the story above would have lived if he received an $80 tooth extraction operation. So instead of an cheap operation you are now paying for his $250,000 ER bill.
Of course, the families of these people are not blameless. Why was the 24 year old unemployed? How come he or his family couldn't come up with a couple of hundred for an operation?
You wouldn't try to tell me, poster, that this 24 year-old practiced oral hygiene?
A daily brushing and flossing would have saved his life, I'm guessing. So, maybe the parents are to blame for not keeping after the guy. This is, by no means, a legitimate rationale for supporting Obumblercare.
From your link...
" Willis went to the emergency room, where he received prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medications. Willis couldn't afford both, so he chose the pain medications. "
Not saying this was the case but generally , amipicillin is prescribed for dental infections.
Many grocery stores now fill prescriptions for that and other cheap antibiotics for free.
You wouldn't try to tell me, poster, that this 24 year-old practiced oral hygiene?
A daily brushing and flossing would have saved his life, I'm guessing. So, maybe the parents are to blame for not keeping after the guy. This is, by no means, a legitimate rationale for supporting Obumblercare.
It doesn't state much info (and it won't either way due to HIPAA)...but considering a dentist at a teeth cleaning told him the wisdom tooth needed to be pulled I wouldn't consider that the action of some one who didn't practice at least decent oral hygiene.
Liberal logic (and lack of knowledge of the countless aid programs for the poor) is truly a thing to behold.
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