The little bit of good news to come out of the Orlando massacre at Pulse Nightclub that left 49 dead and 53 wounded has surfaced. Two of the city’s hospitals are now saying they are going to waive the medical bills for all those affected by the horrific incident.
Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center are both committing the gracious act of kindness.
Florida Hospital has said it will waive fees for the 12 victims it treated after the ordeal, and will not be billing insurance companies for the charges incurred.
And for its part, Orlando Regional Medical Center, which treated 44 surviving victims and 9 who died in the shooting, has said it will be waiving fees but will be charging an insurance company if a patient is covered.
How much are the actual costs involved, in total? Orlando Regional is expecting $5 million in reimbursed costs, and Florida Hospital about $535,400, funds which the medical centers expect to find through access to federal and state funds, victims’ funds and private funds raised for the victims via other means.
But not everyone is pleased with the news. Some are arguing that the story is a “feel good story in disguise.”
People in a country as established as the U.S shouldn’t be charged such individual astronomical medical bills in the first place, some argue.
Other victims in different shootings are affected daily, as well as others on the night of the attack, and some say it’s unfortunate that anyone has to pay for the enormous expenses all on their own.
Fair? At least it’s one step on a path of empathy and cooperation. For the moment, more than a few patients are breathing a sigh of relief.
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