Eastern Sierra News
Written by Benett Kessler Thursday, 11 March 2010 12:25
Chairman of the Mammoth Hospital Board, Don Sage, said that their attorney, David Baumwhol told them that they can not comment because of confidentiality laws. Sage did say that he believes everything that could be done was done in the case of the skiing accident.
The man who broke his leg, Andre Pastre of Alameda, had called KSRW to say that the hospital agreed to do surgery and then withdrew the offer of charity care. He said he was alone, couldn't drive, in pain and desperate. Pastre said he had no health insurance. He said the hospital declined to work out anything with him.
Then he said hospital officials offered him an ambulance to Alameda, which he refused, but finally worked out a payment plan. Surgery was performed.
Mono Supervisor Hap Hazard heard the story and wanted the public to know that Mono County does offer a safety net to those without health insurance. Hazard said the county is mandated to provide emergency care and gives money to Mammoth Hospital for that purpose.
Hazard said he was concerned that citizens might have heard the story about Mr. Pastre and concluded that if they have no health insurance they will get no hospital treatment and won't go when they really need to. "This is contrary to our public outreach," said Hazard. He assured that people will have access to emergency care and evaluation.
Supervisor Hazard said that Mono County will investigate the situation with Mr. Pastre and his experience with Mammoth Hospital.
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written by Jay Wheaton , March 11, 2010
written by Jay Wheaton , March 11, 2010
Alameda skier got more than he deserved. Maybe if more people took responsibility for their actions situations like this would not occur. Don't put blame on the hospital for the actions of an idiot.
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written by lady commentor , March 13, 2010
written by lady commentor , March 13, 2010
This Alameda Skier had enough money to drive up here pay for his lift ticket, rent accomodations and rent ski equipment he should have had enough money to have health ins. In my eyes he was totally a scam artist!!!
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written by Go MH , March 13, 2010
written by Go MH , March 13, 2010
Grrrrrrr.....so much to say. So much I can't. Hospital was very, very right.
Votes: +6
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written by odin lopez , March 14, 2010
written by odin lopez , March 14, 2010
I am Fat and I am not blaming or suing Mcdonalls jejejej
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written by notshocked , March 14, 2010
written by notshocked , March 14, 2010
Are there no good samaritans left around here? Are we all so scared for our own welfare that it's truly become each person for themselves? Maybe kindness is reserved only for the groups and individuals we belong to? These reactions just have me confused and wondering and feeling sad...
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written by reader , March 15, 2010
written by reader , March 15, 2010
This is why your president is trying to fix healthcare. Its not about good samaritans, hospitals have operating budgets. No business succeeds on non-paying customers. If you gave that much free health care out of a rural hospital for recreational accidents you would bankrupt your system.
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written by Not me, you , March 15, 2010
written by Not me, you , March 15, 2010
This guy is a scam artist. He knew all the right phrases to get free help. Ya I'll bet he did not want to go to his county hospital, They know him there! Why does Mono Co. have to pay for his help. He was able to drive his car here, stay at a hotel for two weeks and rent gear, lift tickets and food. Why can he not pay for insurance! Who is responsible? Obviously he does not take responsibility for his own actions. I'll bet the bleeding heart liberals will only see this as Mammoth Hospital being cheap! How about being financially responsible!
EDITOR'S NOTE:
How about you chill out and get a grip on the facts you really know instead of the self-righteous ruminations of some inner anger.
The "guy" signed a payment agreement and maxed out $5,000 on his credit card as a down payment on his surgery. Mono County will not pay for his care and, presumably, neither will Mammoth Hospital.
Good grief, it must be quite the experience to be perfect. We wouldn't know. We in the Bureaucrat Beat Newsroom are merely lowly humans.
Hey, the guy probably made mistakes. That doesn't mean he should sit in a motel room (he could not drive!) with a seriously broken leg as punishment for his lack of judgment.
Knock off the "bleeding heart liberal" references. We're more conservative than you can imagine.
Benett Kessler
Votes: -5
EDITOR'S NOTE:
How about you chill out and get a grip on the facts you really know instead of the self-righteous ruminations of some inner anger.
The "guy" signed a payment agreement and maxed out $5,000 on his credit card as a down payment on his surgery. Mono County will not pay for his care and, presumably, neither will Mammoth Hospital.
Good grief, it must be quite the experience to be perfect. We wouldn't know. We in the Bureaucrat Beat Newsroom are merely lowly humans.
Hey, the guy probably made mistakes. That doesn't mean he should sit in a motel room (he could not drive!) with a seriously broken leg as punishment for his lack of judgment.
Knock off the "bleeding heart liberal" references. We're more conservative than you can imagine.
Benett Kessler
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written by Friar Tuck , March 15, 2010
written by Friar Tuck , March 15, 2010
Way to go Bennet!
Some folks have been stretching the truth for so long they begin to believe their own lies.
Sorry, I can't help myself, blame my bleeding heart and not the holier than thou folks with all the answers.
P.S I really liked the "self-righteous ruminations of some inner anger part.
Votes: -2
Some folks have been stretching the truth for so long they begin to believe their own lies.
Sorry, I can't help myself, blame my bleeding heart and not the holier than thou folks with all the answers.
P.S I really liked the "self-righteous ruminations of some inner anger part.
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written by Rick O'Brien , March 15, 2010
written by Rick O'Brien , March 15, 2010
Benett...that is the best reply I've read here in a LONG time. BRAVO!
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written by Longtime Local , March 15, 2010
written by Longtime Local , March 15, 2010
Good point Benett. Some people just don't like facts. They'd rather just spew hatred.
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written by lady commentor , March 15, 2010
written by lady commentor , March 15, 2010
apparently he had some people conned!!! I do not but it one bit
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written by reader , March 15, 2010
written by reader , March 15, 2010
The "guy" did the right thing. Too bad lack of insurance caused him to go into debt. That will affect his ability to contribute to the economy. No more trips to Mammoth. Everyone loses. He has my sympathy.
It underlines the fact that people are left out of the system and must still receive care. In my opinion this is the least discussed aspect of the healthcare debate by public officials. Your tax dollars still subsidize county and public healthcare. You are already paying for the uninsured. My understanding is the government just wants to do it more economically.
Votes: +3
It underlines the fact that people are left out of the system and must still receive care. In my opinion this is the least discussed aspect of the healthcare debate by public officials. Your tax dollars still subsidize county and public healthcare. You are already paying for the uninsured. My understanding is the government just wants to do it more economically.
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written by plain John , March 16, 2010
written by plain John , March 16, 2010
In some cases the cost of skiing is much less than health insurance. Plus, with the high yearly deductible that blue cross is famous for, little if anything is covered. It is all out of pocket with or with out insurance.
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written by Go MH , March 17, 2010
written by Go MH , March 17, 2010
It's too bad you all only the know the story the patient told.
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written by Andre Pastre , March 23, 2010
written by Andre Pastre , March 23, 2010
I'm the skier that broke his leg at Mammoth mountain on Feb. 25th.I am grateful that a few understanding folks went to bat for me and got me the care that any respecting human being deserves no matter what their present financial situation might be.As i understand part of the Hippocratic oath every health care worker takes is to be as humane as possible when someone is in dire medical need and to treat them first and foremost and work out the payment afterwords.I am appalled at some of the comments on this blog site.I am self employed and can not acquire a decent affordable heath plan that has any coverage.And that is fact.So for you holy rollers what if one of your loved ones was in my situation would you be so quick to judge and condemn?Am i supposed not to live my life freely and do not the things that make life full because i live in a society that has a broken social health system corrupted by the love of money.Hell i should not even work or drive i might need medical assistance i have no health insurance.So pull your heads out of your anuses and praise the LORD.Cheers Saint Andre'
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written by Kristin Furman , May 13, 2010
written by Kristin Furman , May 13, 2010
Since this fool broke his leg he has been on the website that I moderate oh reeking havoc. He preaches to everone about religion and he is constantly using Jesus' name in sentences laced with explicatives!! We have asked him to cease and desist but he just keeps posting. The owner of the website has banned his e-mail several times but he just keeps using new e-mail addys. He has taken offense to one mod in partucular and cusses at her all the time. He is definately not a nice human being.
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