HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED

While we watch Obamacare crumble around us, I thought I'd bring a little levity to the sad subject of healthcare.  I found a couple of old receipts that will bring that to us.

My mother had some kind of problem in 1955.  It may have been related to a tubal pregnancy which I know she had in that time period.  Here is her bill from Jewish Hospital for a visit on September 6.  No mention of insurance.

MISC CHG  $2.00
MISC CHG  $2.50
X-RAY       $10.00
TOTAL       $14.50

My mom had a bout with a bad gall bladder in the late sixties when I was in Vietnam.  She refused the operation until I returned.  Here is her billing for that operation in late 1968; again from Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati.  She was in the hospital for three days in a semi-private room (two beds).

ROOM 3 @ $21  = $63.00
OPERATING ROOM  $70.00
RECOVERY ROOM   $12.00
LABORATORY   $30.00
DRUGS   $13.50
ANESTHETIC MATERIALS   $9.50
SUPPLIES    $14.25
EXTRA FOR SEMI-PRIVATE ROOM  3 @ $17.00 = $51.00

TOTAL  $263.25

Blue Cross paid $212.25.   They wouldn't pay the $51 for the semi-private room.

How times have changed!

*o*