THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 26, 1995 TAG: 9502240033
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
I was in the hospital for 4 hours and 15 minutes to have a cataract removed. The bill was $4,783,96. This does not include the doctors' charges.
Medicare and my insurance will pay this bill; still, I pay insurance and Medicare premiums. If the cost of Medicare is to be reduced, lawmakers, doctors and patients need to cooperate to reduce costs.
The hospital provided many services, supplies and personnel that were not needed. They were provided only because state and federal laws or regulations require they be provided or because the hospital feels it has to protect itself from lawsuits.
I am told by other people that this is standard practice. I do not believe I was singled out for more than the normal charges, and I'm not challenging the bill.
I believe our state and federal representatives should review laws requiring hospitals and doctors to provide a standard list of supplies and services to each patient regardless of why the patient is in the hospital. This needs to be done in conjunction with doctors familiar with a patient's needs.
Unnecessary laws should be rescinded. I am asking my federal representative to do this in the near future and providing him with detailed bills for use in his review.
WILLIAM C. PAINE
Norfolk, Feb. 15, 1995 by CNB