Uninsured, she refuses chopper after heart started twice (original story & update)

[Omaha Steve]

Original story: http://www.omaha.com/article/20100804/NEWS01/708049903/1019#uninsured-she-refuses-chopper

By Kevin Cole
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

When she thought it came to facing a pile of hospital bills or perhaps the Grim Reaper, Linda Field chose the latter.

Worried about how she would pay for treatment with no health insurance, she refused a medical helicopter ride to a hospital — even though a nurse and paramedics had restarted her fragile heart twice.

Field, 51, of Nehawka, Neb., collapsed Saturday night at a street dance in Union, Neb. A nurse who was at the dance cared for her until an ambulance arrived.

Field said she told the paramedics, “I can't get in a helicopter and go to the hospital because I don't have insurance.”

“Everyone tried and tried to talk me into going,” she said, “but I thought the hospital would just turn me away.”

Federal law requires hospitals to screen and stabilize emergency patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

FULL story at link.


UPDATE: http://www.omaha.com/article/20100806/NEWS01/100809811#woman-who-refused-care-doing-well

Woman who refused care doing well Published Saturday August 7, 2010

By Michael O'Connor
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Linda Field is feeling stronger and more optimistic.

She's the Nehawka, Neb., woman who refused a medical helicopter ride to a hospital last week, even though medics and a nurse had restarted her heart twice. Field has no insurance and said she worried about paying the medical bills.

Field eventually received care at the Nebraska Medical Center. She said doctors on Thursday implanted a pacemaker, a device that helps regulate the heartbeat. She was released from the hospital Friday.

Field said she's still isn't certain how her medical bill will be covered, but she said she has applied for help through a federal health insurance program. The Medical Center, citing patient confidentiality, said it couldn't comment on Field's medical bill.

Field, 51, said she has felt much stronger since the pacemaker was implanted. Before the procedure, she said she would get weak and out of breath if she walked even a few feet. She said Friday that she was able to walk the hospital's hallways and feel strong.

“I'm thanking God,'' she said.

Field also thanked all the nurses and doctors who cared for her.

FULL story at link.

[hlthe2b]

1. Thank you for the update--I remember the story and felt horrible

How many more of us will face such a horrendous decision--risk death or face debt that will cripple us for the remainder of our lives?

I am so ashamed that we do not have health care for our citizens--real health care, not the supposed HCReform "patch" we get to wait four more years to see implemented with NO public option.

[HillbillyBob]

15. and that patch is loaded with salt and iodine!

No public option and mandating we buy insurance from private companies really pi$$ me off for others. I m lucky or rather unlucky enough to be disabled and on SSD, but my partners BSBC keeps going up and his pay does not. I probably could have remained working if I had insurance that paid bcbs denied my claim for hospital bills, leading to me becoming unemployed and homeless and had to get deathly ill over 2 yrs before I was considered poor enough th help me with bills via medicaid then medicare kicked in 2 yrs later. I cannot afford my meds, they cost between 2500 and 4000 per year, my income is under 800.
Now I hear that ADAP will be cut back and that covers my co pays.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. This story could easily have had a different ending, but glad it didn't.

It boggles the mind that someone should be in a situation where they have to choose death over what life will be like for them with medical bills. She is still not out of the woods on this, but it looks hopeful. Shame on our society for making anyone have to choose this way.

[Odin2005]

3. The Corporatist Healthcare Plan: DIE QUICKLY!!!

I was going to say, as Grayson did, the GOP plan, but both parties are in on this BS.

[Curmudgeoness]

4. Well, I guess that this woman is one who got away. nt

[Ricochet21]

6. I agree

I agree

[indepat]

11. Die quickly, die silently, but just die: only in American could a wealthy nation have become so

wrongheadedly fucked up in its wholly warped sense Christian values. :cry:

[murielm99]

8. One of my friends lost her insurance and was diagnosed with

breast cancer. She told her husband to just let her die. He wouldn't do it.

She is in remission now. They got some help with bills, but they owe about $62,000.00 currently. I don't think they will ever pay all of it. I don't know if their providers are pressuring them for money. All I ever ask about is her health.

[truedelphi]

5. She has certainly benefitted from all this if

She was renting and not owning the home that she lives in.

However, if she owns her home, it could be that she will face losing it, as often the government plans turn out to collect money from homeowners by forcing them to hand over their house. (It depends on which government plan she has)

[onethatcares]

7. Imagine, if you will

a place where that wouldn't have happened. That the woman would have already had a pacemaker and aftercare. A world where she wouldn't have to worry about healthcare or losing her home.

That world is right over the northern border of the United States of America. It's called "Canada".

What the fuck is wrong with this country that we live in fear of illness, injury or accident. Where we live in fear of losing our homes by a chance act.

We've been lied too a long, long, long time.

[area51]

13. +1

Each day, 273 people die due to lack of health care in the U.S., for a total of 100,000 per year.

We need single-payer health care, not a welfare bailout for the serial-killer insurance agencies.

[HillbillyBob]

17. 30 years of corps rpigs, and deregulation for one

idiots that voted for raygun and every idiot since.
I also think that folks need to pass a psychiatric evaluation when they run for any office.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. Thanks for the update. She sure was released soon!!!!

[MisterP]

10. the mandate will save her! KnR

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. She was at a street dance?

How dare she go out in public and have a good time, putting herself at risk! If she had stayed home she wouldn't have had a heart attack!!

:sarcasm:

[Mimosa]

14. K&R

Is there any way to keep your (non-rented) home if you can't afford to pay for medical bills/

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HillbillyBob]

18. Yes they have to take emergency cases

They will come after you for the $ and the collection agency will make your life miserable. Calling day and night day after day and nothing will stop them.