Because I have nothing better to talk about...

Manateearmz

This was on the news last night. I can't believe this man was surprised that he got a bill. It is fantastic that he saved a life, but sadly that does not earn you free medical care.

 Vancouver, Wash.-- An off-duty lifeguard never imagined he'd get a bill after saving someone. But the Good Samaritan received a $2,600 hospital bill.

John Clark of Vancouver thought he was doing the right thing. The 17-year old was relaxing with his family at Rockaway Beach on July 1st when he heard screams for help. A 12-year old boy was being swept out to sea.

Clark dove into the powerful surf. The off-duty lifeguard managed to keep the boy afloat until rescuers on jet skis arrived.

Medics put both Clark and the 12-year old victim in an ambulance and transported them to the hospital.

The life guard was checked out at the ER to make sure he was ok after the time he spent in the cold water, so he was also considered a patient.

Clark didn't think much of it, until he received the bill from Tillamook General Hospital.

"I've heard that ambulances are really expensive, I never realized how much," said Clark.

Tillamook General Hospital says it is thankful for citizens who help save lives. But added in a written statement, "Those transported to the emergency department via ambulance services have done so after providing appropriate consent."

Clark said he's not upset," There's no monetary value to human life, I'd gladly go out and do it again."

Deblondie1

It makes sense. But being the overboard cynic I am, I hope a story like that doesn't play in the back of someone else's mind at an important time. KWIM?

But most people don't go "Oh hey, what is this going to cost ME?" And he was 17. Did his parents not expect to see an ER bill?  

judahsmommy1

He's 17. There's a lot that a 17 year old doesn't know about the world yet... including the cost of ambulance rides.

violaplayer

I've had 3 ambulance rides in my life. Not once did that stop to tell me it would cost me. (Not that I didn't already know by that point in my life, and no, they weren't crazy serious emergencies) So I take issue with the hospital stating that this 17 year old supposedly being well informed of the costs associated with transport.

CoffeeBeen

Yeah, that's too bad.  I have a hard time arguing that he should get out of a medical bill any more or less than someone else should get out of a medical bill.  It'd be nice if the hospital waved the charges the way they did with the Aurora victims. 

Manateearmz

I heard a teaser on the news this morning that suggested that the community is going to help him with the costs. I hope that's the case.

ASmallWonder

Ok so yes, I understand him getting the ER bill, for sure.  But I've got to say, if there wasn't any treatment on the ambulance, strictly transport for both people, I think it's mega shady to charge them both a full "fare."  Like, if you take a cab, you aren't charged per person.  Now, if they each received treatments with associated costs, they should be billed.  But a ride is a ride, regardless of how many people they let sit in the ambulance.