[maxxxxx]

Somebody hit me at a red light a few years ago and the firefighters suggested I take their ambulance to the hospital. I was really scared that this would turn into a huge bill and almost declined but wasn't in good enough shape to go home so I went but was stressed for days. In Germany I would just have hopped on without worry.

At a minimum the US needs regulation so people can go through most medical situations and know what they are getting into financially.

[plink]

If the at-fault party to your accident had auto insurance or you had uninsured or underinsured coverage, you should have felt no compunction at riding the ambulance. Auto insurance would have covered your damaged vehicle and your health care costs after which your lawyer would be able to demand from the at-fault party's insurer a cash settlement for the identical costs already paid to the hospital, EMTs, et cetera (essentially paying out twice). Your attorney would take 30 percent and you would deposit a check for the remainder. U.S. health insurance doesn't have the monopoly on insanity.