Man Sues Over Health Insurance Fine

[Crabcake Johnny]

Fantastic article about a man in an impossible situation; pay $800 a month or get fined. His take home pay is 762 a week - so without a single bill, health insurance would make up for a quarter of his income.

I fear this guy will lose. Clearly he's not the world's most responsible guy with two mortgages, $400 a month in car payments and a $393 a month in condo fees. Who the hell would pay $393 a month for condo fees...forgetting about the mortgage, while only earning $762 a week? Oh well.

Man without health care sues state over $2G fine - BostonHerald.com

 

[somarco]

The man needs to get his priorities straight . . .

 

[stuy119]

FYI, the 2 mortgages refers to not putting 20% down. It's something that a lot of people have done. Not saying it doesn't cause problems, but it's more normal that what you would believe.

 

[Full Throttle]

I agree that he needs to get his priorities straight. I disagree that myself or the government have the right to force him to comply. The issue that muddies the water: if he goes without insurance, goes to an emergency room and doesn't have the means to pay, who pays? The responsible people who will see an increase in their premiums. That doesn't sit well with me either.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Actually if he goes to the ER without insurance....he pays. He gets the bill and ignores it. He then gets turned over to collections and ignores that.

Collection company gets a judgment and he's screwed. Unless he's ready to file for Chapter 7...which in his case wouldn't get approved he'd have to go 13...which means the ER still gets their money.

Let the system go to work.

 

[somarco]

Massachusetts has been in the news about the folks who buy a plan only when they need it only to drop it once they have recovered. Since MA chose to basically follow small group laws and allow people to buy health insurance "on the spot" carriers have seen a revolving door of short term gamers.

Obamacrap basically allows the same thing.

 

[STIBROKER]

but what if he pays it off at $10 a month......

Actually if he goes to the ER without insurance....he pays. He gets the bill and ignores it. He then gets turned over to collections and ignores that.

Collection company gets a judgment and he's screwed. Unless he's ready to file for Chapter 7...which in his case wouldn't get approved he'd have to go 13...which means the ER still gets their money.

Let the system go to work.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Not for him to decide. The collection agency will dictate the terms. If he doesn't like those terms he'll be standing in front of a judge - who will dictate the terms.

However, I only answered the question as it related to an ER visit. Now imagine this uninsured guy is flown to shock trauma where the total bill is $100,000. Now does the hospital eat it? You betcha.

 

[YouGotMyMoney]

Not for him to decide. The collection agency will dictate the terms. If he doesn't like those terms he'll be standing in front of a judge - who will dictate the terms.

Do you have any news articles that show collections agencies actually getting a judgement? I have never seen that happen IRL.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Don't really have to research news stories when it's happening to my nephew as we speak. He got turned over to collections by his credit card company and did what most kids do - ignore the calls.

They filed in court for a judgment and he pulled a failure to appear. Judgement was granted. Now it's been pawned off to a law firm who's threatening to execute on the judgement.