An expectant mother was given the all clear for she and hubby to travel to the US. She took out insurance. She gave birth to Gracee at 24 weeks, and her treatment will cost well over a million dollars. The insurance company, AAMI, is refusing to pay her medical costs because at the time, Gracee didn't legally exist. Her pregnancy was 'pre existing' condition. So Gracee remains in the US, in the NICU receiving treatment, and her medical bills continue to skyrocket. If that wasn't bad enough, she won't be allowed home until she has a Visa, which may take months to get: Quote: [TABLE] [TR] [TD="class: alt2"] [HR][/HR] SHE'S "Amazing Gracee" to her parents but Gracee Broom is becoming better known as "the million-dollar baby". Her unexpected arrival while her Brisbane parents were on their honeymoon in the US has resulted in medical bills of more than $1 million. Gracee, who was born at 24 1/2 weeks in February, is now at the centre of an international wrangle between Brett and Sonja Broom, their insurance agency and the Australian Federal Government. Insurance firm AAMI is refusing to pay Mrs Broom's medical bills because they say she had a "pre-existing condition" pregnancy. Mr Broom said AAMI told them that Gracee was not covered by their policy because she did not exist at the time of cover. AAMI did not return calls yesterday. But even if well enough to travel, Gracee will not be allowed home until she has a visa, which could take months. [HR][/HR] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226321251617 Was the mother irresponsible for traveling? Should the insurance company pay? Should the US pay seeing Gracee was born there? If the insurance company is forced to pay, it would mean they'd be expected to cover miscarriages and stillbirths of traveling mothers. I think the government should pay. I don't think the people of Australia would be bothered at the cost, considering we'd be bringing home another little Aussie. Thread started at Forum 4 Politics on 04-08-2012 01:55 AM
Welcome to the world of medical insurance and how they make money. When the family goes broke, the tax payer will pick up a huge portion of that bill. The medical industry in the USA has people called "Risk managers". Their job is to evaluate the cost of denying the claim vs a lawsuit settled out of court. They understand that most broke medically ill people and their families can't afford the long litigous process, and the medical insurance comporation will be victorious at the same time save massive amounts of money for them and their investors. Who says money can't buy everything? This is the 21st century and money buys life.
I think the government should pay. We have just raised $15 million dollars for Melbourne's Children's Hospital, another million is a drop in the ocean compared to that.
