Guest blog...

This month I take a cop-out and link to my wife's blog. With much greater style and skill than I, she relates an experience we recently had at a pet-hospital. Even though it involves a cat instead of a human, it sums up the embarrassment and wounding of pride that comes from needing to request financial assistance to pay for health care.

Some back ground:
10 days ago, our 14 yr old cat stopped eating and became horribly constipated. After three days of this, I took her to the 24hr pet emergency room. We arrived at 6:00PM and were released at 1:30AM, at which time I received the bill for $647.00. That's about $600 more than I can afford if I want to pay rent this month. Sitting on the front-desk of the reception area was a sign saying that no one would be turned away due to lack of funds and to alert the receptionist of any financial concerns. I did just that we we first arrived (in front of about 10 other people in the waiting room) and I was told not to worry. At 1:30AM, after receiving the bill, the receptionist took my application for Care-Credit, and tried to run it through the computer. Something was wrong with the system, and I was told they would try again the next day, if I could pay a release deposit of $85.00. I did so, and went home, expecting to receive a call or letter regarding the payment plan.

Unfortunately, Neko (our cat) became sick again a few days later, and this is where I let Meghan tell her story...

http://choogling.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-thought-i-was-one-tough-mama-aft...