Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Two Fla. Hospitals Opt Not To Bill Victims Of Pulse Nightclub Shooting
Orlando Sentinel: Orlando Health, Florida Hospital Won't Bill Pulse Shooting Victims
Orlando Health and Florida Hospital will not bill survivors of the Pulse nightclub massacre for out-of-pocket medical expenses, officials announced Wednesday. Instead, the hospitals will write off an estimated $5.5 million or more in care...Its main hospital — Orlando Regional Medical Center — treated 44 of the more than 50 victims who needed immediate medical attention from the June 12 attack that killed 49 people. The nightclub is only a couple of blocks from the Level 1 trauma center. (Santich and Hayes, 8/24)
The Washington Post: Orlando Hospitals Say They Won’t Bill Survivors Of Pulse Nightclub Shooting
The Orlando hospitals that treated dozens of people injured in the Pulse nightclub shooting said Wednesday that they would not bill the survivors. One hospital said it would not bill for any treatment it provided Pulse victims, while Orlando Regional Medical Center, the hospital that treated most of the survivors, said it would seek payment from other resources such as insurance plans and a victims fund set up by city officials. Authorities there said they expect the “total unreimbursed costs” could top $5 million. (Berman, 8/24)
WMFE: Orlando Health Won't Bill Victims For Pulse Night Club Shooting
The hospital said it will bill insurance if patients have it, but it will not go after a patient for co-pays or deductibles. Rather, the hospital will seek federal and state money, including money from the OneOrlando fund and private fundraising accounts for victims. The hospital will also look for disability insurance, Florida’s crime victim compensation program, means-tested programs like Medicaid, as well as charity care provided by Orlando Health. (Aboraya, 8/24)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Florida Hospitals Won't Bill Victims Of Pulse Nightclub Shooting
Two hospital systems in Orlando announced Wednesday they will not bill survivors of a shooting last June at a gay nightclub in which 49 people were killed. ... The hospital systems, Orlando Health and Florida Hospital, are forgiving about $5.5 million in medical costs. Bills will be sent to insurance companies for patients who were covered, but any uncovered costs will not be charged to the victims. (Pinckard, 8/25)
