What is source of medical costs?

Published Tuesday, June 24, 2008

All of the news media write about the problems with medical expenses but none of them tell us where the problem is. It is in the high cost of hospital care and doctors fees and there is only one way to correct this — lower the fees and costs. Many people don’t have health insurance and can’t stand the costls.

I had a stroke on Nov. 12, and had first-hand knowledge of these costs. These costs, however, covered the best medical help that I was able to take advantage of and come out of the situation without any real problems. The total cost exceeded $17,000 with coverage at Municipal Hospital in Perham and Meritcare in Fargo.

Starting with an ambulance call from my residence in Perham to Memorial in Perham — $1,600 — and as the doctors in Perham though my condition was such that it required helicopter ride to Fargo — $7,100 — where I was attended by the best medical available in the area. After and emergency room cost in Perham of $225.

Seven days in Meritcare, Fargo $992, but this included nursing care and that was the best, although they were too “bossy” at times.

Then charge from doctors from $75, $206, $195, $85, $395, $289, $377, and many charges in between to come to a total that exceeded $17,000,

After seven days in Meritcare, then three days in Memorial at Perham where again good medical help monitored my condition to see how I was doing. After that medical help continued as for three weeks hospital nurses called on me to see how I was doing and that I had no problems remaining. I think we can be thankful we have this good medical help around but the cost is a problem and will be until the medical field lowers their charges.

As I was born in 1916, I am in my 92nd year on this earth and I wonder sometimes how long I will last, although I had an aunt who went to 101, another to 96, and an uncle who made 94, so I may have a little time on this earth, and reading John 14 gives me the courage to go on.

Harley Karvonen - Perham