Comments on: My ambulance bill http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/ thoughts from Heather Gold Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:49:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rick Wilson http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-749854 Rick Wilson Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:58:03 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-749854 Takin' out the trash, bitten by a little rattler (my own damn fault And, no, the little one's don't "give you everything they've got") Went to the local Fire Station (Topanga) asked "Which is the best Hospital?" Instead, they called an ambulance, after inserting an IV (both of which seemed excessive to me). 10 miles away is a very good hospital: Woodland Hills Kaiser Permanente. Cab Fare home: $40 Ambulance Bill: $1,600 and change! Somebody above in this list suggested the City (or County, in this case) runs or contracts out this business - Well, you can't argue with City Hall and the Great State of Calif is broke anyway but this is clearly a rip off of the 'Brazil' (movie) nature. And, it goes deep. Ever check out new Vans? The one's we (not ambulance service capitalists) can buy are marked "Cannot be used as an Ambulance" - the start of justifying this particular insiduous means of "seperating the money from the people" I'm not a commie; I just think it can be done better... Go, Jerry... Takin' out the trash, bitten by a little rattler (my own damn fault And, no, the little one's don't "give you everything they've got")

Went to the local Fire Station (Topanga) asked "Which is the best Hospital?" Instead, they called an ambulance, after inserting an IV (both of which seemed excessive to me). 10 miles away is a very good hospital: Woodland Hills Kaiser Permanente. Cab Fare home: $40

Ambulance Bill: $1,600 and change! Somebody above in this list suggested the City (or County, in this case) runs or contracts out this business – Well, you can't argue with City Hall and the Great State of Calif is broke anyway but this is clearly a rip off of the 'Brazil' (movie) nature.

And, it goes deep. Ever check out new Vans? The one's we (not ambulance service capitalists) can buy are marked "Cannot be used as an Ambulance" – the start of justifying this particular insiduous means of "seperating the money from the people"

I'm not a commie; I just think it can be done better… Go, Jerry…

]]> By: charles Ahrendt http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-276916 charles Ahrendt Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:59:39 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-276916 I received an ambulance bill 30 months after service was provided. They took medicare consignment but never filed. The company operates as a d/b/a and I believe that stands for "double billing attempt". I received an ambulance bill 30 months after service was provided. They took medicare consignment but never filed. The company operates as a d/b/a and I believe that stands for "double billing attempt".

]]> By: Donald Larson http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-267826 Donald Larson Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:53:54 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-267826 I agree with Ron Buchner's comments, Jan 9, 2011. I am a senior citizen/(AARP & NRA member) on fixed income about to fight an outrageous ambulance bill of $4,759.35 to the "WRONG HOSPITAL" in Richland (260 miles each way), instead of to my Doctor in Seattle WA, (1 hour away), without a "written agreement contract" in Kitsap County District Court, Port Orchard, WA. Check-out this expensive $433K "Air Ambulance Charge" from Nj.com, without a "Written Agreement": City of Woodland Park, NJ disputes $433,000 "Air-Ambulance Bill" to fly a dying Police Chief from Idaho back to Woodland Park, New Jersey. (The Police Chief died shortly after return to NJ, leaving an unpaid bill). Woodland Park says it "never agreed to pay" and there "Never was a Contract". http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/woodland_park_disputes_air-amb.html ******************************************** My Outrageous/Absurd Ambulance Bill situation: I have a Kitsap County District Court date on April 18, 2011, to discuss an outrageous/absurd Olympic Ambulance - Bremerton bill of $4,759.35 with a "3rd Party Dept Collection" Lawyer from Yakima, WA for a ambulance ride from Bremerton to Richland, 5/18/2010, when my Doctor of 32 years is in Seattle, WA {Doesn't make any sense!}. To err is human.........the Bremerton, WA, Harrison Hospital Medical HeathCare System & Olympic Ambulance-Bremerton seems to be more into gouging me/my insurance for all they can get, rather than reasonable responsible care at a respectful price, consulting with me and my family per RCW Law about the treatment. Harrison Hospital does not admit any Emergency Room errors (unnecessary tests, wrong hospital, not contacting my primary care-Doctor, etc.) or show any desire to improve their HealthCare system with a "Checklist", like professional pilots use, to ensure certain things are accomplished (like "contact the patient's primary care Doctor", and avoid sending a patient 1/2 way across the State of Washington for $5K, when the Doctor is in Seattle - a 1 hour ferry ride away from Bremerton, WA). Olympic Ambulance EMT's responded to Harrison Hospital ER request without any questions or "written contract with me or my family" to take me (Non-Emergency Transport) to Richland, instead of my primary care Doctor in Seattle, WA. A MISTAKE was made - there was "no written agreement contract" for "NON-EMERGENCY" Transport between Harrison Medical Hospital ER (even though they are required by RCW law to talk with me/family about their treatment plan & give me an opportunity to select my own Primary Care Doctor) & Olympic Ambulance - Bremerton, who fraudulently obtained & used "Confidential Insurance" information from Harrison without my knowledge or consent about the treatment plan; no mention of price or discussion of cost of transport to Richland, instead of my Doctor of 32 years in Seattle, WA, resulting in costs of about $2,000/day for a week for an "involuntary" WRONG hospital stay & loss of US Constitutional 2nd Amendment Bill of Rights to firearms, even though guns were not even an issue (I have no criminal record), un-loaded rifles were locked in our SAFE, but taken away & not returned to me by a Kitsap County Sheriff in response to a 911 call by my wife for help}. I have been summoned to Kitsap County District Court by a "3rd Party Collection Agency" Lawyer in Yakima, for the bogus bill for transport to Richland, WA when my Doctor of 32 years is in Seattle, WA, without a "written contract", from Olympic Ambulance (located out of Port Angeles, WA, but working for Harrison Medical Hospital in Bremerton, WA). Fair Debt Collection Practices Act http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf, § 808. Unfair practices A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section: (1) The collection of any amount (including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law. Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton, call 10-8091, $4,759.35, 5/18/2010, 19:28, Harrison Memorial Hospital in Bremerton to Richland, WA. - I did not personally call for, request or want Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton and I did not have a written/verbal contract or any other form of agreement with Olympic Ambulance for what amounts to a “major purchase of $4,759.35”. A $4,759.35 charge for transport from Bremerton to Richland is obviously absurd to most logical thinking people. Olympic Ambulance had the right to deny services if not paid up front, just like airlines, buses & taxi services, but chose to rely on Harrison Hospital’s breach of confidential trust information, without talking to me and without my knowledge – that is wrong. Olympic Ambulance has indicated that they do not understand the need for an "up-front service agreement" with people they apparently want to do business with, and apparently do not understand obtaining & using my personal insurance information without my permission or knowledge is akin to fraud. I did not have my insurance card on me, it was at home. Therefore, I could not and did not give Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton, my insurance information, but got my insurance company got a bill anyway. Harrison Hospital shared my “on-file confidential patient insurance information” with Olympic Ambulance Service without my permission, approval or knowledge. I consider inappropriate charges to my insurance card, without my permission for use, akin to fraud & reported it. Olympic Ambulance Service used my ill-gotten insurance information & billed my insurance without my knowledge or consent, which is akin to INSURANCE FRAUD. I informed Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton in an Oct 26, 2010 letter to bill Harrison Hospital who specifically made the fiscally irresponsible decision to call Olympic Ambulance Service without my knowledge, consent or permission. I have notified my insurance of inappropriate charges and fraudulent use of my confidential insurance information and they are currently investigating. I am challenging "3rd Party Plaintiff" Evergreen Financial Services, Inc./Debt Collection & Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton in Kitsap County District court. 3rd Party Debt Collection Plaintiff: Evergreen Financial Services, Inc./Debt Collection 1214 North 16th Avenue PO Box 9073 Yakima, WA 98909-9073 {Ph 800-280-5879; 509-452-6574} Creditor: Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton, 601 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382 Account #1957639 Donald Larson, AARP Senior Citizen Bremerton, WA 98310-2050 I agree with Ron Buchner's comments, Jan 9, 2011.

I am a senior citizen/(AARP & NRA member) on fixed income about to fight an outrageous ambulance bill of $4,759.35 to the "WRONG HOSPITAL" in Richland (260 miles each way), instead of to my Doctor in Seattle WA, (1 hour away), without a "written agreement contract" in Kitsap County District Court, Port Orchard, WA.

Check-out this expensive $433K "Air Ambulance Charge"
from Nj.com, without a "Written Agreement":

City of Woodland Park, NJ disputes $433,000 "Air-Ambulance Bill" to fly a dying Police Chief from Idaho back to Woodland Park, New Jersey. (The Police Chief died shortly after return to NJ, leaving an unpaid bill).

Woodland Park says it "never agreed to pay" and
there "Never was a Contract".

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/woodland_park_disputes_air-amb.html

********************************************
My Outrageous/Absurd Ambulance Bill situation:

I have a Kitsap County District Court date on April 18, 2011, to discuss an outrageous/absurd Olympic Ambulance – Bremerton bill of $4,759.35 with a "3rd Party Dept Collection" Lawyer from Yakima, WA for a ambulance ride from Bremerton to Richland, 5/18/2010, when my Doctor of 32 years is in Seattle, WA {Doesn't make any sense!}.

To err is human………the Bremerton, WA, Harrison Hospital Medical HeathCare System & Olympic Ambulance-Bremerton seems to be more into gouging me/my insurance for all they can get, rather than reasonable responsible care at a respectful price, consulting with me and my family per RCW Law about the treatment. Harrison Hospital does not admit any Emergency Room errors (unnecessary tests, wrong hospital, not contacting my primary care-Doctor, etc.) or show any desire to improve their HealthCare system with a "Checklist", like professional pilots use, to ensure certain things are accomplished (like "contact the patient's primary care Doctor", and avoid sending a patient 1/2 way across the State of Washington for $5K, when the Doctor is in Seattle – a 1 hour ferry ride away from Bremerton, WA).

Olympic Ambulance EMT's responded to Harrison Hospital ER request without any questions or "written contract with me or my family" to take me (Non-Emergency Transport) to Richland, instead of my primary care Doctor in Seattle, WA.

A MISTAKE was made – there was "no written agreement contract" for "NON-EMERGENCY" Transport between Harrison Medical Hospital ER (even though they are required by RCW law to talk with me/family about their treatment plan & give me an opportunity to select my own Primary Care Doctor) & Olympic Ambulance – Bremerton, who fraudulently obtained & used "Confidential Insurance" information from Harrison without my knowledge or consent about the treatment plan; no mention of price or discussion of cost of transport to Richland, instead of my Doctor of 32 years in Seattle, WA, resulting in costs of about $2,000/day for a week for an "involuntary" WRONG hospital stay & loss of US Constitutional 2nd Amendment Bill of Rights to firearms, even though guns were not even an issue (I have no criminal record), un-loaded rifles were locked in our SAFE, but taken away & not returned to me by a Kitsap County Sheriff in response to a 911 call by my wife for help}.

I have been summoned to Kitsap County District Court by a "3rd Party Collection Agency" Lawyer in Yakima, for the bogus bill for transport to Richland, WA when my Doctor of 32 years is in Seattle, WA, without a "written contract", from Olympic Ambulance (located out of Port Angeles, WA, but working for Harrison Medical Hospital in Bremerton, WA).

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf,
§ 808. Unfair practices
A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:
(1) The collection of any amount (including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law.

Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton, call 10-8091, $4,759.35, 5/18/2010, 19:28, Harrison Memorial Hospital in Bremerton to Richland, WA. –

I did not personally call for, request or want Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton and I did not have a written/verbal contract or any other form of agreement with Olympic Ambulance for what amounts to a “major purchase of $4,759.35”. A $4,759.35 charge for transport from Bremerton to Richland is obviously absurd to most logical thinking people. Olympic Ambulance had the right to deny services if not paid up front, just like airlines, buses & taxi services, but chose to rely on Harrison Hospital’s breach of confidential trust information, without talking to me and without my knowledge – that is wrong. Olympic Ambulance has indicated that they do not understand the need for an "up-front service agreement" with people they apparently want to do business with, and apparently do not understand obtaining & using my personal insurance information without my permission or knowledge is akin to fraud.

I did not have my insurance card on me, it was at home. Therefore, I could not and did not give Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton, my insurance information, but got my insurance company got a bill anyway.

Harrison Hospital shared my “on-file confidential patient insurance information” with Olympic Ambulance Service without my permission, approval or knowledge. I consider inappropriate charges to my insurance card, without my permission for use, akin to fraud & reported it.

Olympic Ambulance Service used my ill-gotten insurance information & billed my insurance without my knowledge or consent, which is akin to INSURANCE FRAUD.

I informed Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton in an Oct 26, 2010 letter to bill Harrison Hospital who specifically made the fiscally irresponsible decision to call Olympic Ambulance Service without my knowledge, consent or permission.

I have notified my insurance of inappropriate charges and fraudulent use of my confidential insurance information and they are currently investigating.

I am challenging "3rd Party Plaintiff" Evergreen Financial Services, Inc./Debt Collection & Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton in Kitsap County District court.

3rd Party Debt Collection Plaintiff:
Evergreen Financial Services, Inc./Debt Collection
1214 North 16th Avenue
PO Box 9073
Yakima, WA 98909-9073
{Ph 800-280-5879; 509-452-6574}

Creditor: Olympic Ambulance Service, Bremerton,
601 W Hendrickson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382
Account #1957639

Donald Larson, AARP Senior Citizen
Bremerton, WA 98310-2050

]]> By: Ron Buchner http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-249713 Ron Buchner Sun, 09 Jan 2011 23:39:29 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-249713 I represent an association that pays for emergency ambulances for their members. Most people just don’t believe what it costs for an ambulance today let alone if someone decides to send you off by helicopter. Most of the members that I work with are seniors on a fixed income and you have no idea how devastating it is to them to be billed thousands of dollars just to get to a hospital. Please keep up the posts, this is great information. You can E-me at sunkatchers2@hotmail.com Ron I represent an association that pays for emergency ambulances for their members. Most people just don’t believe what it costs for an ambulance today let alone if someone decides to send you off by helicopter. Most of the members that I work with are seniors on a fixed income and you have no idea how devastating it is to them to be billed thousands of dollars just to get to a hospital. Please keep up the posts, this is great information.
You can E-me at sunkatchers2@hotmail.com
Ron

]]> By: Lauren http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-238466 Lauren Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:41:33 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-238466 I stumbled upon this discussion in a desperate attempt to find some answers regarding my medical bill. So to get this out, yes I was drunk, and taken in an ambulance for 4 minutes, brought to the ER and placed in the hallway to sleep. I have received a $1700 from the fire department and $1900 from the ER. I repeatedly said I did not have health insurance. My friends were standing right there asking if they could just take me home. They did nothing to me, not even heart monitoring or taking my blood. I would have been better off going to the drunk tank, no matter how traumatizing it may have been. Pretty sure being in my late twenties and having a hospital bill sent to my parents, whom I don't live with, for almost $3000 is way more traumatizing than a drunk tank!!!! I mean seriously, i am being punished for being cooperative. And this is in no way blaming the EMT's. My good friend is one and says that this type of situation is his biggest complaint. There is no debate that the health system in america needs some reform. This is just bullshit. I stumbled upon this discussion in a desperate attempt to find some answers regarding my medical bill. So to get this out, yes I was drunk, and taken in an ambulance for 4 minutes, brought to the ER and placed in the hallway to sleep. I have received a $1700 from the fire department and $1900 from the ER. I repeatedly said I did not have health insurance. My friends were standing right there asking if they could just take me home. They did nothing to me, not even heart monitoring or taking my blood. I would have been better off going to the drunk tank, no matter how traumatizing it may have been. Pretty sure being in my late twenties and having a hospital bill sent to my parents, whom I don't live with, for almost $3000 is way more traumatizing than a drunk tank!!!! I mean seriously, i am being punished for being cooperative.
And this is in no way blaming the EMT's. My good friend is one and says that this type of situation is his biggest complaint. There is no debate that the health system in america needs some reform. This is just bullshit.

]]> By: Kendra http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-234158 Kendra Tue, 19 Oct 2010 03:44:13 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-234158 AI crazy ex of mine called the cops on me saying I was hurting myself. The cops came with an ambulance and made me go to the hospital even tho I was not hurt and have no history of this either. I had actually been sleeping for awhile. They made me go to the hospital and by ambulance. I said I would go to the hospital but there was no reason for the ambulance but they made me get in. $1200 bucks for me sitting there and for the EMTs to just sit there for 3 miles. I'd rather pay more taxes over time than to get a ridiculous and unnecessary bill like this. I can't afford it and am not sure what to do. AI crazy ex of mine called the cops on me saying I was hurting myself. The cops came with an ambulance and made me go to the hospital even tho I was not hurt and have no history of this either. I had actually been sleeping for awhile. They made me go to the hospital and by ambulance. I said I would go to the hospital but there was no reason for the ambulance but they made me get in. $1200 bucks for me sitting there and for the EMTs to just sit there for 3 miles. I'd rather pay more taxes over time than to get a ridiculous and unnecessary bill like this. I can't afford it and am not sure what to do.

]]> By: Bob http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-231399 Bob Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:10:25 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-231399 Mine was a 3 mile trip, that did nothing but transport, and charged 1,700.00!! This is not reasonable. Mine was a 3 mile trip, that did nothing but transport, and charged 1,700.00!! This is not reasonable.

]]> By: Truely sad http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-219540 Truely sad Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:04:23 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-219540 You people have got to be kidding me. Every area is different, but you really should get all the facts before complaining. First of all, to address the person who got over a 1000 dollar bill, that does seem a little excessive and I can't answer why it was so much, but you may want to ask for an itemized bill for starters. Next to the people who have been transported by EMS, instead of law enforcement, consider this, LEO will tell you to go with them, or with EMS, because they don't want to mess with you. If this in mind, if you are offered the choice, you are not under arrest (usually), if in doubt, ask. If you are under arrest, then go by ambulance and LEO HAS to pick up the bill. If you go by LEO to the hospital, and are not under arrest, then the ride there cost you nothing. Now, for you people who were transported by EMS while you were unconscious, you were taken to a hospital to find out what was wrong with you and to get you help, and if you are complaining about that, then I'm willing to bet, if you were not transported, and you died, your family would sue the hell out of EMS and the city or county. You can't have it both ways people. Thank your lucky stars these people that are very under paid, do what they do and stop your wining! You people have got to be kidding me. Every area is different, but you really should get all the facts before complaining. First of all, to address the person who got over a 1000 dollar bill, that does seem a little excessive and I can't answer why it was so much, but you may want to ask for an itemized bill for starters.
Next to the people who have been transported by EMS, instead of law enforcement, consider this, LEO will tell you to go with them, or with EMS, because they don't want to mess with you. If this in mind, if you are offered the choice, you are not under arrest (usually), if in doubt, ask. If you are under arrest, then go by ambulance and LEO HAS to pick up the bill. If you go by LEO to the hospital, and are not under arrest, then the ride there cost you nothing.
Now, for you people who were transported by EMS while you were unconscious, you were taken to a hospital to find out what was wrong with you and to get you help, and if you are complaining about that, then I'm willing to bet, if you were not transported, and you died, your family would sue the hell out of EMS and the city or county. You can't have it both ways people. Thank your lucky stars these people that are very under paid, do what they do and stop your wining!

]]> By: Nicolette http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-190582 Nicolette Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:06:19 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-190582 I'm researching a story on ambulance bills. Could you please contact me if you're in Southern California and would be willing to share your experience? nmedina@cbs.com I'm researching a story on ambulance bills.
Could you please contact me if you're in Southern California and would be willing to share your experience?
nmedina@cbs.com

]]> By: Joe http://subvert.com/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-186533 Joe Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:46:00 +0000 http://subvert.com/blog/2006/12/25/adventures-in-us-healthcare/#comment-186533 You pay one way or another. Here in the US, it was $1300. But you pay less in taxes here in the states than you do in Cananda. In Canada, you pay $48 for your ambulance ride, but you have been socking money to that ambulance ride since you have been working and purchasing goods. In Canada, whether you need that ambulance ride or not it or not does not matter. Your still paying for it. That's why its called insurance. An old movie I watched from the 60's explained health insurance perfectly. It was a comedy western. It was a story about Jessie James. The name of the movie escapes me at the moment but it was sort of a Monty Python type of story where everything satire. One of the side characters in the film kept following Jesse James all over the country. He was an insurance salesman. He kept pitching to Jesse James, "Are you a gambling man"? Jesse being a cowboy of course relied, "yes". The insurance salesman replied with "how about buying some life insurance"? Jesse replied, "what's that"? "Well", the salesman said, "if you die I get $1000, if I die before you, you get my life insurance policy of $1000". When you think about what insurance is, whether its life, auto, home, or medical, that's what insurance is. A gamble. You should never purchase health insurance with the mindset of taking at least 3 ambulance rides and needing to be on diabetic meds in your old age. It should be something that if you do take care of your self, (as 72% of Americans don't), but do get cancer, or diabetes, then you get care from your insurance. Folks who abuse their body's with smoking, over eating, eating unhealthy, playing too much video games, etc... should pay more for their care or insurance. Period. You pay one way or another. Here in the US, it was $1300. But you pay less in taxes here in the states than you do in Cananda. In Canada, you pay $48 for your ambulance ride, but you have been socking money to that ambulance ride since you have been working and purchasing goods. In Canada, whether you need that ambulance ride or not it or not does not matter. Your still paying for it. That's why its called insurance.

An old movie I watched from the 60's explained health insurance perfectly. It was a comedy western. It was a story about Jessie James. The name of the movie escapes me at the moment but it was sort of a Monty Python type of story where everything satire. One of the side characters in the film kept following Jesse James all over the country. He was an insurance salesman. He kept pitching to Jesse James, "Are you a gambling man"? Jesse being a cowboy of course relied, "yes". The insurance salesman replied with "how about buying some life insurance"? Jesse replied, "what's that"? "Well", the salesman said, "if you die I get $1000, if I die before you, you get my life insurance policy of $1000". When you think about what insurance is, whether its life, auto, home, or medical, that's what insurance is. A gamble. You should never purchase health insurance with the mindset of taking at least 3 ambulance rides and needing to be on diabetic meds in your old age. It should be something that if you do take care of your self, (as 72% of Americans don't), but do get cancer, or diabetes, then you get care from your insurance. Folks who abuse their body's with smoking, over eating, eating unhealthy, playing too much video games, etc… should pay more for their care or insurance. Period.

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