ADVERTISEMENT

It’s no secret that American healthcare is notorious for continually shocking the rest of the world who are well used to being more or less covered in case of health emergencies. And while American hospitals and medical facilities are undisputedly something you’d call ‘world class,’ they are also unaffordable for many.

The numbers speak for themselves: total health care spending in America went over $4 trillion in 2020 and more than 30% of that—or about $1.24 trillion—was spent on hospital services. Hospital costs per day averaged $2,607 with California being the most expensive at $3,726 per day. And if you want to stay overnight, the coast soars up Everest, $11,700, to be exact, and that’s for the ones with insurance.

There’s only one thing that speaks even louder than figures. It’s people who have experienced what it’s like to have their health in jeopardy just because they couldn’t afford the costs. Below are some of the most upsetting cases shared by Americans who, while living in the ‘greatest country in the world,’ would probably not dare to call it that.

#1

Universal Healthcare Is Such A Complex Beast

maxonsdad , twitter.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. This needs to be more prevalent. Spam your government with it. They need to hear you, to care for you. That is one of their jobs.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

The American Healthcare System

Throwawaylism Report

Add photo comments
POST
abigailwilliams_2 avatar
Call Me Mars
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cannot say how much I hated reading this. People should never put their love on the line because of healthcare. I hope that something changes soon, but I doubt it will.

mittenkg avatar
FrancesCat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the flip side, two dear friends of mine called off their wedding, because one had a major medical emergency and owes more than $100,000. (He was insured, but the 10% of expenses not included by insurance add up.) He doesn't want to saddle his b.f. with debt, so they're not going to marry.

Load More Replies...
beccaaune avatar
Scifi1203
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know who needs to hear this, but if the US taxed people just 3-5% higher and actually taxed huge corporations like Amazon, we'd be like the other 32 developed nations. It's such a simple solution! I really don't know why all of us don't band together and change how health care and insurance work in the US!

kennedy1209 avatar
kennedy1209
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US Federal Government has plenty of money to fix healthcare right now, but because of the power the huge healthcare/Insurance corporations & the horrible spending habits of the Federal Gov't (i.e.. ridiculous military spending) they will never work towards reasonable healthcare.

Load More Replies...
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw this sometime back and it made me sad... seeing it today still makes me sad

bigmamabadger avatar
Penny Fan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But, but, but gay people are destroying the sanctity of marriage! Oh wait, that's rampant capitalism. Rampant capitalism is destroying the sanctity of marriage.

baconycakes1337 avatar
Bacony Cakes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The gays are using wind turbines to blow homosexual mists into the sanctity of marriage!

Load More Replies...
missmonmon avatar
julie_rose_translator avatar
Julie C Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m in New Zealand and I’ve said many a rude thing about Jacinda’s failures regarding healthcare (in her defense, the previous government f****d our system to hell) but I’m glad things aren’t THIS bad.

Load More Replies...
heathervance avatar
AzKhaleesi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow this made my heart hurt. I hate this country more and more.

rileyhquinn avatar
Riley Quinn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The irony is how Republicans tout their pro-family stance, but refuse to give a fraction of an inch to healthcare.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to my mom. Minus divorce. She had to declare bankruptcy for *his* illness.

bloodywilliamsgirlfriend avatar
Nunya Bus
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't the first time I've read something very very similar. I've read articles and actual studies about couples doing this for years. Sadly, it is not a new idea. I've also read about couples who never get married because the marriage would actually hurt them financially. Especially the women if they are widows. They would lose their deceased husband's pension, SS monies, veteran benefits etc.

bumblebee_4 avatar
bumble bee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my father suffered major brain damage after bleeding from brain surgery in 1986, they wanted my mother to do the same. In order for him to receive any benefits they would need to be divorced. My mother would not do that.

comerfordsamantha46 avatar
Samantha PandaNotBored
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This needs shouting from the rooftops , not on Twitter. Start a protest AHUGE PROTEST .

gjgeracci846 avatar
Gary Geracci
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, I can see this. I was Bankrupted, even owning a multi state company because of my wife's medical Bills!

inkslingerkate avatar
Wednesday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, the legal marriage came to an end, but they are totally still married. Just not on paper...

renaeweidman avatar
Renae Weidman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How heartbreaking! I cannot understand why we can’t have healthcare for all here in America. I personally wouldn’t care about being taxed more so everyone has proper care.

shamurph15 avatar
Sharon Dean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good ole USA with it's profit before everything mottos.........my partner and I are in somewhat the same situation. If we marry I pay the penalty as SS would take from my benefits to give to him. What the hell??????

happyhippieheart_email avatar
Laurie Ostergaard-Overbey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we were told to divorce for this very reason. we sold all our assets and moved on together. but i had absolutely nothing when my loving husband of 40 years passed after I PROVIDED his personal care for the last fifteen years of his life. i moved on after his death, and did the VERY SAME care for my elderly violent dementia mother. on my own, (my son helped) but my siblings and health care did nothing. usa health care sucks

bcgrote avatar
Brandy Grote
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They CAN still live together and be in love. Marriage really doesn't have any advantages nowadays.

nazdapokmov avatar
Nazda Pokmov
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to protect yourself.....very smart.

jackienettleton avatar
Jackie Nettleton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is such an appalling thing to have happened to you I’m sorry it had to come to this

piet-puk avatar
Piet Puk
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did they vote for Democrats or Republicans? Because if they voted for the later, it's their own fault.

espresso-overload avatar
SuperChicken
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, my goodness! This is so very sad. I hope for the best for the parents and the family.

luthervonwolfen avatar
Luther von Wolfen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Marriage in the US is primarily a legal contract. This was a smart legal move.

jennifersurdi avatar
Daenarys
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only if the daughter is wealthy enough to take on that debt. The debt won't just go away because he's not married, it just goes to whoever is considered his heir.

Load More Replies...
southon avatar
Bobert Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Until someone reads this tweet and realizes the divorce was a sham, and finds a way to hold your mom liable. When cheating the system, best not to make a public post about it.

anneking68 avatar
StrawberryParfait
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Horseshit. In the eyes of the law, they are now divorced. They can't hold her liable, since she is not legally his wife anymore.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

When The Cost Of The Cure Is Worse Than The Disease.

Dan_inKuwait Report

Add photo comments
POST
sammyanne1_sh avatar
Helen Haley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the US medical system, death isn't the worst outcome. Financial death is

View more commentsArrow down menu

Previously, Bored Panda spoke with Dr. Andrew Carroll from Arizona, who has experience dealing with healthcare insurance companies and fighting for what's best for his patients. Some time ago, we covered a story about how he broke down in tears when a company refused to provide one of his patients a CT chest scan that you can read right here.

Dr. Carroll explained that there are clear financial incentives for the companies that provide healthcare insurance to keep the system, with its high administrative costs, as it is. "It will be very difficult to reduce the administrative costs without overhauling the payment system altogether," he explained. This is why even small step-by-step changes are really hard to push through.

#4

Who Needs Universal Healthcare Just Eat Nuts And Drink Red Wine

danpriceseattle , twitter.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
yulalopez avatar
Yula Lopez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True. We really take it for granted; I'm appalled at these admissions. Sometimes there is a waiting period (luckily never been long for me), sometimes we complain about the care we receive but I've had a life-saving operation with a week in hospital and only paid about 180 euros

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Moreover, Dr. Carroll candidly said that healthcare insurance providers don’t have it in their interest to do what's best for American patients. "Unfortunately, these payers tend not to have altruistic intentions towards their members. They cater to the advantage of the employers paying for the benefits, who want to try and spend the least amount of money they can."

He believes that employers that pay for benefits will need to demand more of the companies providing the benefits or patients will need to file class-action lawsuits to demand that benefits due to them are not unduly restricted, as they are today.

#7

America Is Broken

DaFunkJunkie , twitter.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is disgusting. This whole list is. I rely on the medical system to live, and I take it for granted it seems, this is majorly depressing

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Healthcare Please

bocxtop Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Another side of the problem of American healthcare is that the country spends enormous amounts of money on healthcare, but a whopping quarter of the costs are purely administrative. As a result, customers are charged a lot, but not every dollar they pay is targeted at helping them. It’s no secret that there’s a lot of waste in the system although nobody really talks about it that much.

ADVERTISEMENT
#11

People-Share-Us-Healthcare-Problems

RyhanButler Report

Add photo comments
POST
ashleymcoe avatar
Ashley Coe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look into the cost of Insulin World wide. Lowest is about $15 a vile. $300 in US.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

American Healthcare In A Nutshell

zeca1486 Report

Add photo comments
POST
abigailwilliams_2 avatar
Call Me Mars
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, I am going to cry. This is why I am sceptical about authority. Not just because of my skin colour, but because of things like this.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Healthcare

Sumit316 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ashleymcoe avatar
Ashley Coe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now, imagine if he lived in Canada. Free Healthcare, and a roof over his head. That's democracy.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

People-Share-Us-Healthcare-Problems

letsassume Report

Add photo comments
POST
mohsie avatar
Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And after having so many Gatorades, you will STILL need the healthcare.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#22

No One Earns A Billion Dollars

rbreich Report

Add photo comments
POST
alexk_1 avatar
Alex K
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why do people still buy from amazon? support your local / small businesses

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Someone Calling It Out.

yehiaabugabal Report

Add photo comments
POST
mborggreve avatar
Tequila4Two
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can you even have a maximum sick days. It is not like, "Oh, I am out of my sick days, so I am cured now."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

People-Share-Us-Healthcare-Problems

danadonnelly Report

Add photo comments
POST
luthervonwolfen avatar
Luther von Wolfen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The odds against winning the lottery are pretty huge, but they're still better than working your way out of poverty.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Big Insurance

drcarroll , twitter.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
blbrightonoswin_1 avatar
Brian Bennett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear DR. Carroll - an Insurance company can over rule a Doctor's Order! This is one s**t head Country you live in! Insurance company's should be named after a famous man HITLER!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

People-Share-Us-Healthcare-Problems

kashanacauley Report

Add photo comments
POST
laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing huh, when in order to protect themselves they have to treat everyone, all of a sudden they can afford to give you a vaccine. They can afford way more than that. I hope to everything that this kind of topic becomes a thing of the past for more countries, and fast

View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

People-Share-Us-Healthcare-Problems

xestrand Report

Add photo comments
POST
j_f_ avatar
J. F.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That shows that all that money doesn't even gets used for more equipment - being short on ventilators was and is a problem all around the globe.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

When Healthcare Works Super Well

gldivittorio Report

Add photo comments
POST
mohsie avatar
Mohsie Supposie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Health insurance is just as much of a scam as healthcare, if not worse!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

It’s Some Twilight Zone Shit.

waterfly9604 Report

Add photo comments
POST
julie_rose_translator avatar
Julie C Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the incumbent party is actively negligent and the party that replaces them phoned up Jacinda for advice on how to pandemic only to ignore everything she actually said.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Yay

emily_murnane Report

Add photo comments
POST
kifflington avatar
BigOrangeTractor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Probably' fine. Just to be clear, when you go the NHS with a funny-looking mole, they will usually just whip that sucker straight off and biopsy it to be on the safe side. For $0. Demand better from your tax-charging government.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

People-Share-Us-Healthcare-Problems

jayypill Report

Add photo comments
POST
kobusloots avatar
Kobus Loots
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Suddenly I am very glad that I live in South Africa, where both me and my wife's meds are fully covered by my medical aid

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda