A woman's bug bite and allergic reaction led to $6700 ER bill

[kan...@aol.com]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/04/28/bug-bite-emergency-room-bill/

Sadly this is fairly typical. In fact, this isn't nearly the worst. My dad, God rest his soul, got a very small wound. His trip to the ER was mainly for a tetanus booster (could have been done in an office) and a dressing. I can't remember the exact charge; but I recall it as about $6000. In his ER the tetanus booster was a 4 figure event. 

So ER's are expensive, really expensive. But like other hospital charges, they are like the sticker  price on a new car. Insurance pays no part of the "retail" cost. Only uninsured patients get saddled with the whole charge; but they can bargain it down to the usual prevailing rate if they ask. 

Not sure how to fix this issue completely; but I know how to nibble at health care costs. I can come up with more answers. If BK can tell us how to get rid of Islamofacists, I'll work on this issue.