9 patients made nearly 2,700 ER visits in Texas

[TheCount]

AUSTIN, Texas – Just nine people accounted for nearly 2,700 of the emergency room visits in the Austin area during the past six years at a cost of $3 million to taxpayers and others, according to a report. The patients went to hospital emergency rooms 2,678 times from 2003 through 2008, said the report from the nonprofit Integrated Care Collaboration, a group of health care providers who care for low-income and uninsured patients.

"What we're really trying to do is find out who's using our emergency rooms ... and find solutions," said Ann Kitchen, executive director of the group, which presented the report last week to the Travis County Healthcare District board.

The average emergency room visit costs $1,000. Hospitals and taxpayers paid the bill through government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, Kitchen said.

Eight of the nine patients have drug abuse problems, seven were diagnosed with mental health issues and three were homeless. Five are women whose average age is 40, and four are men whose average age is 50, the report said, the Austin American-Statesman reported Wednesday.

"It's a pretty significant issue," said Dr. Christopher Ziebell, chief of the emergency department at University Medical Center at Brackenridge, which has the busiest ERs in the area.

Solutions include referring some frequent users to mental health programs or primary care doctors for future care, Ziebell said.

"They have a variety of complaints," he said. With mental illness, "a lot of anxiety manifests as chest pain."

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It's Obama's fault and it's only going to get worse with him as president.

Now that's out of the way, perhaps a real discussion:

Another issue that needs to be resolved via health care reform, in my opinion. Having a 3 million dollar tab being paid out by tax payers for people that probably need just a little more help than they can receive in a medical doctors office.

At what point does our social responsibility to support people like this stop? I think it's an important discussion, you can't lock them all away and some of them really do need help.

[Cajuncowboy]

Wait! 8 of them had drug addictions and you think that somehow a socialized health care program is going to help this situation?

How about a program where you lock them up and detox them and if they go back on the stuff, you lock them up in prison, like you normally do with people who break the law?

Don't know what the visits were for, but since 8 of them are drug addicts and tey don't have health insurance, it would be a safe guess they don't have a job. Wait, wait, wait, jobs don't matter anymore. Just more gimmie, gimmie, gimmie.

:bang2:

[Phrozen Phil]

AUSTIN, Texas – Just nine people accounted for nearly 2,700 of the emergency room visits in the Austin area during the past six years at a cost of $3 million to taxpayers and others, according to a report. The patients went to hospital emergency rooms 2,678 times from 2003 through 2008, said the report from the nonprofit Integrated Care Collaboration, a group of health care providers who care for low-income and uninsured patients.

"What we're really trying to do is find out who's using our emergency rooms ... and find solutions," said Ann Kitchen, executive director of the group, which presented the report last week to the Travis County Healthcare District board.

The average emergency room visit costs $1,000. Hospitals and taxpayers paid the bill through government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, Kitchen said.

Eight of the nine patients have drug abuse problems, seven were diagnosed with mental health issues and three were homeless. Five are women whose average age is 40, and four are men whose average age is 50, the report said, the Austin American-Statesman reported Wednesday.

"It's a pretty significant issue," said Dr. Christopher Ziebell, chief of the emergency department at University Medical Center at Brackenridge, which has the busiest ERs in the area.

Solutions include referring some frequent users to mental health programs or primary care doctors for future care, Ziebell said.

"They have a variety of complaints," he said. With mental illness, "a lot of anxiety manifests as chest pain."

-------------------


It's Obama's fault and it's only going to get worse with him as president.

Now that's out of the way, perhaps a real discussion:

Another issue that needs to be resolved via health care reform, in my opinion. Having a 3 million dollar tab being paid out by tax payers for people that probably need just a little more help than they can receive in a medical doctors office.

At what point does our social responsibility to support people like this stop? I think it's an important discussion, you can't lock them all away and some of them really do need help.

In a properly run ER, you triage these guys out. An Emergency Room is for Emergencies. Part of the problem lies in that the physicians are paid for the people they see, regardless of the reason.

[Jon88]

What gets me is how Mexican citizens can cross over the border and get free health care. Do the majority of Americans get free health care? No, we don't. It's absolutely nuts.

I remember working with on the the laziest workers who illegally crossed the border from Mexico. He got in a car accident and had to have extensive brain surgery. Who picked up the tab for that?

[MetalHead]

Regardless of political views,that is just ridiculous and a blatant abuse.
Now find them and execute them.

[ninja]

My brother works in a hospital. When the hospital wants to get rid of no insurance/emergency room abusers and not have them around anymore, the doctor tells them they will need to have a colonoscopy. Miraculously, they get up and leave.:laugh1:

[BrAinPaiNt]

My brother works in a hospital. When the hospital wants to get rid of no insurance/emergency room abusers and not have them around anymore, the doctor tells them they will need to have a colonoscopy. Miraculously, they get up and leave.:laugh1:

:laugh1: :laugh1: Nice.

[Cajuncowboy]

My brother works in a hospital. When the hospital wants to get rid of no insurance/emergency room abusers and not have them around anymore, the doctor tells them they will need to have a colonoscopy. Miraculously, they get up and leave.:laugh1:

Oh that's great. :lmao2:

[JBond]

Keep in mind Obama's rationed health care plan is in next years budget. Not a good idea.

[WoodysGirl]

My brother works in a hospital. When the hospital wants to get rid of no insurance/emergency room abusers and not have them around anymore, the doctor tells them they will need to have a colonoscopy. Miraculously, they get up and leave.:laugh1:
Now THAT's funny.. lol

On a serious note, I just don't understand how normal, working people would want to suffer the indignities of an emergency room.

I get that for indigent people that might be the only help they can get, but I know too many people who work and HAVE insurance who run to the ER for basic medical services. I just don't understand that logic.

There are some Urgent Care facilities that provide similar services. I think they're pretty good for emergencies and the wait is often shorter. That said, I'd still rather go to my primary doctor, insurance or not, than go to either.

[Hoofbite]

Keep in mind Obama's rationed health care plan is in next years budget. Not a good idea.

Why?

Is this going to spread like wildfire?

Like Cajun said, its only a problem because someone isn't addressing the issue. You handle the situation correctly and it isn't a problem any more.

[Phrozen Phil]

Now THAT's funny.. lol

On a serious note, I just don't understand how normal, working people would want to suffer the indignities of an emergency room.

I get that for indigent people that might be the only help they can get, but I know too many people who work and HAVE insurance who run to the ER for basic medical services. I just don't understand that logic.

There are some Urgent Care facilities that provide similar services. I think they're pretty good for emergencies and the wait is often shorter. That said, I'd still rather go to my primary doctor, insurance or not, than go to either.

That's the solution in a nutshell. If you're injured and require emergent care, fine, see an ER. The idea of Urgent Care has it's merits, particularly if it's after hours and your GP is not available. Education as to how to use these is key, but I beleive in effective triage as a means of priorizing the need for emergent treatment.

[JBond]

Why?

Is this going to spread like wildfire?

Like Cajun said, its only a problem because someone isn't addressing the issue. You handle the situation correctly and it isn't a problem any more.

I don't understand what you are getting at. Address the situation? How would you suggest we address the situation? Obama's rationed health care plan is an absolute disaster. The example in the article is very telling. When the government forces one group of people to pay the way for another group of people this is the end result.

Lets try this. How about we cut off health care for people who are in our country illegally. Then the legal lazy deadbeats sucking on the government teat can go work the garbage jobs the illegals are now working. Then they could afford the $50 a month to pay for a health insurance plan. $50 dollars a month for health care is not to much to ask. $280 a month for family plans is not to much to ask.

The only health care crisis in this country is the one created through fear by stupid uninformed liberals like Obama and his pathetic minions.

Wake up people. Some days I feel like I am talking to a bunch of sheep.

[TheCount]

I don't understand what you are getting at. Address the situation? How would you suggest we address the situation? Obama's rationed health care plan is an absolute disaster. The example in the article is very telling. When the government forces one group of people to pay the way for another group of people this is the end result.

Well the example in the article has nothing to do with Obama, but okay.

Lets try this. How about we cut off health care for people who are in our country illegally. Then the legal lazy deadbeats sucking on the government teat can go work the garbage jobs the illegals are now working. Then they could afford the $50 a month to pay for a health insurance plan. $50 dollars a month for health care is not to much to ask. $280 a month for family plans is not to much to ask.

The only health care crisis in this country is the one created through fear by stupid uninformed liberals like Obama and his pathetic minions.

Wake up people. Some days I feel like I am talking to a bunch of sheep.

I agree that illegal immigrants should have no access to public money, period. I'm not sure I've ever seen a useful $50 a month health insurance plan, but against, a good point.

How can you say there is no crisis after just criticizing the current state of things? Those 9 people that racked up a 3mil bill did so under the current system, you wouldn't rather see that money go to children that actually deserve universal health care?

[WoodysGirl]

Well the example in the article has nothing to do with Obama, but okay.



I agree that illegal immigrants should have no access to public money, period. I'm not sure I've ever seen a useful $50 a month health insurance plan, but against, a good point.

No kidding... $50/mo is good if the plan is employee-sponsored. I paid more than that with my last job.

The individual plan I was looking at a while back was $100/mo...and I think deductible was somewhere around $1000.

I can't imagine what the deductible would look like for a $50/mo plan.

[JBond]

Well the example in the article has nothing to do with Obama, but okay.



I agree that illegal immigrants should have no access to public money, period. I'm not sure I've ever seen a useful $50 a month health insurance plan, but against, a good point.

How can you say there is no crisis after just criticizing the current state of things? Those 9 people that racked up a 3mil bill did so under the current system, you wouldn't rather see that money go to children that actually deserve universal health care?

Health care is not a right guaranteed under the Constitution. No one deserves squat. You go out, you work hard and earn it.

What children are being turned down for care in emergency rooms? Hospitals by federal law must treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Why do you feel parents should not be responsible for their own children's health care? Are you unable to provide for your family? What is wrong with getting a job and then paying for your own health care? I feel bad for the fools that made poor decisions their entire lives and now they have financial problems, but it is crazy to ask the people who have sacrificed and have done things the right way to continue to fund the failures. There simply is not enough money to do it.

For those looking for affordable insurance, the example I cited above is from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas City. It is called AfordaBlue. I was paying about $290 a month for my entire family. The only reason I left the plan is my wife now works for a pharmaceutical research company and full family coverage is a perk included with the job.

[TheCount]

Health care is not a right guaranteed under the Constitution. No one deserves squat. You go out, you work hard and earn it.

What children are being turned down for care in emergency rooms? Hospitals by federal law must treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Well here I'll respectfully disagree with you on that fundamental issue. The problem isn't the emergency room, it's preventative and it's long term treatment. Children deserve healthcare, no child should have to sit at home and waste away with a treatable sickness because their parents fear the bill.

If your response is, well when they are sick enough they can go into an emergency room, that is a completely ruthless way to treat a child.

Why do you feel parents should not be responsible for their own children's health care? Are you unable to provide for your family? What is wrong with getting a job and then paying for your own health care? I feel bad for the fools that made poor decisions their entire lives and now they have financial problems, but it is crazy to ask the people who have sacrificed and have done things the right way to continue to fund the failures. There simply is not enough money to do it.

Do you even have children? Do you have a family? I don't understand how you can be so utterly void of compassion if you do.

You live in a great country, made great by its people. Not every decision can boil down to the nickles you'd rather keep in your pocket.

I know taxes are a major issue for you, but you're not the only one paying for these things. The government isn't relying on just your hard work and sacrifice to fund public projects.

For those looking for affordable insurance, the example I cited above is from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas City. It is called AfordaBlue. I was paying about $290 a month for my entire family. The only reason I left the plan is my wife now works for a pharmaceutical research company and full family coverage is a perk included with the job.

A good option to consider, I'm sure. Thanks for pointing it out.

I'm sure the plan is adequate (even if the copays might be a bit much) for the occasional visit, but I'd wager the coverage evaporates pretty quickly if you actually have a major medical issue or an extended one.

[JBond]

Well here I'll respectfully disagree with you on that fundamental issue. The problem isn't the emergency room, it's preventative and it's long term treatment. Children deserve healthcare, no child should have to sit at home and waste away with a treatable sickness because their parents fear the bill.

If your response is, well when they are sick enough they can go into an emergency room, that is a completely ruthless way to treat a child.



Do you even have children? Do you have a family? I don't understand how you can be so utterly void of compassion if you do.

You live in a great country, made great by its people. Not every decision can boil down to the nickles you'd rather keep in your pocket.

I know taxes are a major issue for you, but you're not the only one paying for these things. The government isn't relying on just your hard work and sacrifice to fund public projects.



A good option to consider, I'm sure. Thanks for pointing it out.

I'm sure the plan is adequate (even if the copays might be a bit much) for the occasional visit, but I'd wager the coverage evaporates pretty quickly if you actually have a major medical issue or an extended one.

In Kansas we have medicaid that covers all poor people and their children. We have Obama's Schips program that pays for medical care for children of lower middle class families. How many more people should we pay the health care costs for? Where do we draw the line? The more we socialize medicine in this country the worse the care is going to become. How do we know this to be a absolute fact. Just look at all the countries that have tried and failed. Inefficiency and lack of motivation to achieve better results is why they fail. Do you want a panel of bureaucrats making health care decisions for you and your family? That is what Obama wants. In England they are baning certain life sustaining cancer drugs for the simple reason of cost. Is that what you want here?

If you love your family you would fight Obama's socialist programs with everything you have.

I am not some stone cold hater of children. In fact I have two wonderful (most days) children. A 13 year old boy and a 6 month old girl. I believe anyone can achieve anything they want in America. I was quite the delinquent myself when I was young. I grew up.

On the blue cross plan: it covered 5 Dr visits per year with no copay. Emergency clinics were $30 co pays. Generic prescriptions were $3 and the policy capped out at 5 million. The only time you had to satisfy the large deductible ($2500) would be if you were hospitalized or something really traumatic happened. Not a perfect solution, but much better than running around with no coverage at all expecting your fellow citizens to pay your way for you.