A clue into the high costs of health care
Parents beware. Sending your kid to the roller rink could cost you plenty!
While my son and his 6th grade friends were at the roller rink, I was enjoying some time to myself. I ran some errands, and wound up at the local "dollar" store.
Little did I know that trying to save a buck would cost me hundreds. As I checked out, my cell phone rang. It was a young woman from the roller rink who calmly said, "Your son hurt his ankle; you need to come get him."
She sounded more annoyed than anxious, so I didn't panic. "OK", I said, "I'll be right there".
I wasn't far, maybe 20 minutes away. As I approached the rink, I got another call saying that paramedics were dispatched. "What"? I said. "I'm on my way. I'm down the street!"
I was confused. Was the injury that bad? No. It was actually just a mild sprain. The reality is businesses are extremely afraid of lawsuits.
The rink owner later told me "this happens all the time" and they have to use their judgment. He relayed some legal jargon about the "Good Samaritan Act" and about how they couldn't determine if "circulation" was affected ... which could possibly lead to the "loss of a foot".
What? The loss of a foot? Yes, it was swollen. Yes, he couldn't stand on it. But, no, it wasn't life-threatening. It was a sprain!
Nevertheless, it was left to the discretion of others as to when and why to call 911. Unfortunately, that decision cost us money, not them.
Sadly, there are people in Haiti who can't even get a Band-Aid, and here we're needlessly calling an ambulance.
The cost of health care is dramatically high, but the reason is actually more legal than medical. My son's fine and I'm very glad. (So is Visa.) But next time he goes skating, I'll make a day of it and go with him!
Nancy Smearman
Palatine