America is a wonderful place to be rich or wealthy. Medical concerns are a top reason for personal bankruptcy.

This type of billing is probably not helping the US birthrate, which I believe is now below replacement.

As long as consumers follow along, this will not change. We've allowed the US healthcare system to become a toxic cesspool of greedy insurance companies with laughable and corrupt government oversight. IMHO, The only way this changes is if everyone stops paying.

As a consumer, how do I not follow along? I can't just stop using healthcare for my family.

I feel like I must accept this scam because it's the lesser evil.

This exists only because of the lobbyist system of government, where consumer's voice is easily drowned by money.

> IMHO, The only way this changes is if everyone stops paying.

Great! I'll start the next time I need a medical procedure. Of course, this protest will get only more and more effective - once my bill is sent to collections, and I'm forced into bankruptcy and become homeless, I'll amass all sorts of medical maladies!

The reply next yours says the same thing without the toxic feel that makes the internet a slightly worse place for everyone. Go out in that big world and find something that makes you a happier person.

You're right. Today's been a rough day, and I keep trying to tell myself that if I don't have anything constructive to say, I shouldn't say anything at all - but I can't seem to listen :/

Wow. Now imagine you were hiking in the mountains, you break your ankle, and need the help of search and rescue to get out of there. After you get a $15,000 bill for a Trauma fee from the hospital you get a $10,000 bill for a search and rescue fee from the state. Yes it's the Ticket Master business model.

If anyone hears that I'm missing in a forest somewhere, please do me a favor and don't call anybody.

> If anyone hears that I'm missing in a forest somewhere, please do me a favor and don't call anybody.

Very well, in accordance with your wishes, we'll let you die in the wilderness in order to save you $10,000.

Fair jab. My point was that the Search & Rescue "pay to play" model seems unreasonable. It was originally intended to be used in cases of negligence/recklessness but is apparently being used in plain vanilla S&R activities somewhat randomly based on the whims of local authorities.

The case I'm talking about was similar to this article. S&R possible overreacted and charged a guy $9000+. There was no danger, just a miscommunication. That seems similar to this article where a guy got a minor scrape on his head from tipping over his motorcycle and an entire Trauma team was readied unbeknownst to him. Yet he still got the bill.