One of the most heartbreaking things I've read in our ER bill database:

[mahatmakanejeeves]

David Fahrenthold Retweeted

One of the most heartbreaking things I’ve read in our ER bill database:

A 2-year-old eats a dangerous drug. Poison control tells her mom to take the toddler to the ER immediately.

But the family is already in debt from another ER bill. They can’t afford another one. (1/2)

Link to tweet

Here’s what the mom does:

She drives to the ER. But she doesn't go inside.

Instead, she and her toddler sit in the parking lot for hours. They watch the Little Mermaid on loop.

The mom thinks: I can go inside if she has a seizure. Otherwise, I can’t afford it. (2/2)

(2/2).

Link to tweet

[Rambling Man]

1. Mom is a dumbass

They have to treat you at the ER regardless of ability to pay.

How would you take a chance on a child's life over a potential medical debt?

No creditor even takes medical debt seriously.

[Hav]

2. I have to agree sort of

It is a heartbreaking situation to be put in such a position but I cannot imagine not taking possibly life threatening issues as serious as needed because of the fear of another bill. Because that makes you the person who puts financial issues above the life of your kid.

[Caliman73]

3. While I would take my child to the ER regardless, it isn't that simple.

The family is likely on the verge of some catastrophic financial situation because of debt to make the mom consider what she did. It is basically gambling. Die by the poison, with mom hedging the bet by going to the ER in case the child gets worse. The second option is get another bill compounding your debt, possibly losing your housing, losing your job, and ending up homeless with your child where neither of you are safe.

It doesn't seem a good choice by the mom, but desperation is not conducive to good choices.

[Hav]

6. You are right

My initial reaction was dominated by my inability to understand how you wouldn't do everything for your kid but you are correct that situations like these are often more complex. Any system that forces you to make these kind of decisions is just bad and inhuman.

[Caliman73]

7. You hit the nail perfectly on the head!!

We all tend to react as individuals. Even my opening header where I say, "While I would take my child to the ER..." was like virtue signalling that I would do anything to protect my child, however, I know that I have made decisions that while minor and not putting my child at risk for harm, have not been in their best interests, for less dramatic situations than crippling, life altering debt.

You said it succinctly and accurately. THE SYSTEM that forces families to choose between food and housing, healthcare and food, and any other critical life need is THE PROBLEM, not the desperate people making choices that we may never have to make.

[Merlot]

4. "No creditor even takes medical debt seriously?"

I guess all those people who filed bankruptcy due to medical bills didn't need to.

[lark]

5. They just changed how medical debt is shown on credit bureaus a few years ago.

They totally downgraded medical debt and won't even show it if unless it's really big $$. It also takes an average of 60 days to show up at a minimum and could take many months if it ever does. A lot of medical institutions don't credit report and don't let their collection agencies report either.

[lostnfound]

8. Don't people try to pay debt by putting it on their credit cards?

I had a friend who died with $20,000 in medical debt on her credit cards, back in the 90s.
It was all clearly her fault, despite having worked hard from the time she was 13, once she recovered from childhood cancer.


Her father sucked, too.

[lark]

14. Sadly yes, that happens.

America's medical care system is not good in access or affordability.

[Rambling Man]

11. Yup.

[Rambling Man]

10. Can't speak to someone else's experience

but I sit on top of a mountain of medical debt.

Still financed a car, still have credit cards, still can survive.

If I'd have thought, "but I might get a bill!" I'd be dead right now because of my last medical catastrophe.

[UniteFightBack]

15. That right there is no wasted words and I'm sorry that this is your cross to bear, I hope one day

these bills won't be trouble for you no more.

[blueinredohio]

13. I have to disagree with this statement.

They do have to treat you but if you don't pay you will get collection agency calls then be in court. I have never known any place, medical or not to forget about your debt.

[Turbineguy]

9. Life in a

republican paradise.

[area51]

12. Please support

comprehensive Medicare for All, and ask Speaker Pelosi to support it.