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WHY THIS SITE?
Read about the the hideous overcharges
that Cedars-Sinai Medical Center inflicted on me because I was uninsured.
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Why this site and who started it?
I am a self-employed designer and native of Los Angeles, CA. I've held good-paying, responsible jobs for over 35 years. I'm a law-abiding,
tax-paying, middle-class citizen who was always led to believe America's health care system is caring, compassionate and fair and that safety nets are in place if something bad happened to you (and
the safety nets would be "safe").
In April, 2003, I quickly learned there is nothing more frightening than to be sick and without health insurance.
The Internet has
given me an opportunity to share my experience with our broken health care system and become
an advocate for change. I hope this site will inspire you to become active in this very important and long-overdue reform.
My story
- I lost my corporate job in 1990 due to "downsizing", yet they immediately hired me back as a "freelancer".
With no severance pay or much savings, I went from employee to business owner in a weekend.
- I never knew how expensive health insurance was (as it was always provided for me by my employer). I struggled to keep up with the premiums and several times had to cancel
my policy and go without. The choice was always: health insurance or roof over my head.
- I went without health insurance for seven years.
- In April, 2003 I got very sick from eating Bill Johnson's BBQ Sauce (manufactured by Triple H. Food Processors in Riverside, CA).
- I had to be treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Emergency Room. The bills I received from Cedars-Sinai were outrageous - - over $4,000 which was way beyond reason for the treatment I received. The
amount they charged me was simply shocking!
(and common, see what "60 Minutes" aired on March 5, 2006
- I was in touch with the manufacturer who tested the sauce, recalled their product and agreed to pay my medical bills through their insurance carrier, The Hartford.
- The Hartford, refused to pay my claim.
- I tried to get legal representation but after speaking with over five different law firms, gave up looking. No one would take my case because my injury "was not serious enough" - - meaning, my medical bills weren't high enough to warrant their time to take the case, I didn't sustain a long-term disability and they said food poisioning is difficult to prove so they would need to hire expert witnesses.
- Forget "justice" and "what's fair". The legal industry said I was on my own because there wasn't enough money in the case.
- After taking Triple H. Food Processors to small claims court and not winning the case, I was sued by Designed Receivable
Solutions, Cedar-Sinai collection agency and lost the case. I now owe over $6,000 because of interest and legal fees.
After my ordeal I was able to scrape up enough money to buy a health insurance policy. While I had it, I could not shake the insecurity of
losing it due to having a slow month and not being able to afford the premium or if the insurance company arbitrarily cancels it for any reason they wish to. I, like millions of others, have been
trained well to accept the insanity: Buy insurance (because you must have it) but don't dare use it or it could be cancelled! THIS is what our legislators have allowed insurance companies to do
to American citizens
- - whether it's for car insurance, homeowners insurance or health insurance. With very little government regulation or oversight they have given insurance companies the license to take our money, raise our premiums and have the freedom to penalize us if we need a benefit. Isn't it time for a change?
By the way, I lost my health insurance again because they raised my
rate nearly 28%.
Write us what you think. We might post it on this site.
In the meanwhile, here's what we think
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