Discounts Coming For Uninsured?

[jeffrey]

California lawmakers have approved the first bill in the nation to require hospitals to offer discounts to low- and middle-income uninsured patients, responding to complaints that the industry often charges the uninsured the highest prices.

The proposal, which must still receive approval from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is opposed by the hospital industry and two state agencies. The governor has not indicated if he will sign it into law.

Nationwide, debate over how much the uninsured are charged — and the actions some hospitals have taken to collect those bills — has prompted voluntary changes in hospital policies and a series of class-action lawsuits against nearly 400 hospitals. Prices charged to the uninsured are high because they don't have insurers or government programs to negotiate discounts for them.

The California proposal would require hospitals to offer discounts to uninsured patients who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level, about $37,000 for a single person or $75,000 for a family of four. The percentage of discount would be up to each hospital... [read more at usatoday.com]