No insurance bill for Orlando shooting victims

– In the days after the Pulse nightclub shooting, the doctors and nurses who treated victims at Orlando Health and Florida Hospital did more than treat wounds. “During this very trying time, many organisations, individuals, and charities have reached out to Orlando Health to show their support. This is simply our way of paying that kindness forward.” said David Strong, President/CEO, Orlando Health. After the June 12 attack, ORMC attended to the 44 out of more than 50 people hurt while Florida Hospital treated dozens of others.

Madeline Lago, 15, and her mother Carmen Lago, center, are among the thousands gathered for a memorial rally at the Plaza at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando, Fla., on Monday, June 13, 2016, to honor those killed and wounded in the Pulse nightclub attack.

Bills from victims sent to Orlando Health “could exceed $5 million”, the hospital said in a statement. The hospitals said they also would not charge the families of deceased victims for any care they received. “We hope this gesture can add to the heart and goodwill that defines Orlando”, Florida Hospital president Daryl Tol told CNN.

Perez had no health insurance and says, “I’m pretty excited they’re willing to go ahead and [forgive that debt]”.

“Instead, the hospital will look at federal and state funds, victims’ funds like the One Orlando fund, and private funds raised for victims”, Aboraya reports for our Newscast unit.

Not a day goes by that Josean Garcia doesn’t think about that night.

After the traumatizing event in Pulse, he then had to spend seven hours in the hospital after fragments of a bullet exploded into his left side and he split his elbow on a glass shard after being hit.

So for many victims, the waiving of their hospital bills may be a huge relief.

“We can’t predict the future needs of these patients, their financial situations, or what the state or federal governments may require us to do for charity policies”. Nine patients died from their gunshot injuries while at Orlando Health. Furthermore, they say that while they can’t promise free medical care forever, they are committed to continuing to work with the victims – many of whom will need follow-up procedures – to get them the care they need at no expense to them.