Universal health care will be a priority in Congress
(CHICAGO) – Fifth district congressional candidate Tom Geoghegan today joined community members and health professionals in applauding Advocate Health Care Network’s agreement to provide free and discounted health care to all uninsured patients. The settlement will end a court case stemming from a lawsuit filed against the hospital alleging that the hospital failed to provide appropriate charity care and reduced price care to uninsured and under-insured patients.

“We shouldn’t have to sue hospitals in order to ensure children and families can get the care they need,” said Geoghegan, who served as lead counsel in the lawsuit. “We need comprehensive health care reform so doctors can focus on treating the sick instead of worrying about the bottom line.”

In Congress, Tom Geoghegan will make the passing of universal single payer health care coverage a priority.

“There are millions of working Americans who don’t have medical insurance through their employers and can’t get Medicare, Medicaid or other government health insurance,” said Geoghegan. “These Americans are one hospitalization away from financial devastation. In fact, the inability to pay these soaring medical costs makes many people one emergency room visit away from bankruptcy.”

Filed in 2003 by Tom Geoghegan of Despres Schwartz & Geoghegan and Robert Cohen of Frankel & Cohen, the lawsuit alleges that Advocate failed to provide appropriate charity care to uninsured patients. In addition, the suit claims Advocate failed to provide reduced price care to the under-insured. The settlement offers relief to former, current and future uninsured patients, and some insured patients owing more than $5,000. It provides free and discounted health care, and $3.5 million in refunds for those who overpaid. It also requires that procedures for applying for charity care are fair and easy to understand. The settlement is subject to final approval by the Court in February of 2009.

“This settlement represents an important victory for the residents of Illinois,” said Dr. Quentin Young, National Coordinator for Physicians for a National Health Program. “No one should have to forgo necessary medical treatment, especially in times like these.”

As part of the settlement, Illinois residents can apply for Charity Care discounts at the hospital at which they receive treatment. Charity Care offers free or discounted health care depending on income. For example, a family of four, who earns less than $42,396 yearly, is eligible to receive necessary medical services at no cost at all Advocate hospitals.