On September 29th, 2016, New Jersey saw one of the worst train accidents in its history. Over a hundred survivors were sent to nearby hospitals... however, one of those hospitals is of serious concern.
Bayonne Medical Center, owned and operated under the auspices of parent company CarePoint Health, has a long track record of preying financially on those who step through its doors. As a for-profit hospital that has unilaterally rejected any working relationship with insurers, the patients who come to Bayonne Med often walk away with truly staggering medical bills. Two news stories over the last two years have highlighted this: in 2014 NBC ran the story of a patient who was charged over $9,000 for a mere bandage, and in 2015 a follow-up investigation told of another patient billed over $17,000 to wash and stitch a two-inch cut. A study conducted on the hospital's billing practices in 2014 found that Bayonne Med charges at more than 700% above costs, making it one of the most expensive emergency rooms in the state.
The passengers who survived the Hoboken train crash deserve quality medical care -- what they and their loved ones do NOT deserve is to have their health insurance and savings plundered by outsize, unreasonable charges. These people have already survived a dire crisis which will leave a lasting and terrible impact on their lives. To compound that with a financial crisis, one that could follow them for years or even decades, is simply inhumane.
We who sign this petition urgently call upon the New Jersey Department of Health and all relevant authorities to hold Bayonne Medical Center and CarePoint Health accountable for how they treat the Hoboken crash victims -- not only in the emergency room, but afterwards. CarePoint should not be allowed to exploit a disaster to increase its profits.
