Debate Over National Health Care
On Sept. 12, I entered St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank for minor shoulder surgery (arthroscopy). I was admitted at 9 a.m. and was discharged at 5 p.m. that afternoon. After the two-hour surgical procedure, I was brought a dry turkey sandwich and a small carton of orange juice for lunch.
A week later I received an itemized copy of the hospital bill that was sent to my insurance company. The total was almost $7,000, and one of the items listed was “food service” at $299. When I told the surgeon about these charges, he laughed like hell. I just can’t wait to see his bill.
It’s this kind of blatant insurance gouging that is the best argument I know of for implementing a national health plan.
STUART NISBET
Glendale
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