Hospitals to Patients: Pay Us Now, or We Won’t Treat You

On Dec. 6, 2006, Lisa Kelly arrived at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston with a check in hand for $45,000. It was an upfront payment for lab tests related to her leukemia. Lisa Kelly Afterward, a hospital oncologist wanted to admit her right away for treatment. But the hospital demanded another $60,000 on the spot. It [...]