72-year-old cancer survivor Michael Rogan from Longmont, Colorado has been trying to secure a Covid-19 vaccine appointment for the last couple of weeks. He finally succeeded and made an appointment with Boulder Medical Center, but the good news turned sour quickly.
“On Wednesday, I got a call from someone else in the organization saying that I wouldn’t be able to get the vaccine until I paid my outstanding bill,” Rogan told 9news reporters Jennifer Meckles and Chris Vanderveen, who received an email from Rogan’s partner Liz asking to see if it was right.
So the journalists rolled up their sleeves and went on a mission to find out how on earth Rogan’s vaccine got cancelled for owing $243 in unrelated medical treatment from the past. “I know I owe them money, but I don’t think it should be tied to [the vaccine],” he said. After all, the vaccine is free.
Read on for the full account of the incident as shared by the reporter Chris Vanderveen on his Twitter account recently. The thread casts a disturbing light on how vaccines which are supposed to be free to all Americans, no matter their medical record, history, and insurance plan, are being handled for the most vulnerable ones.
72-year-old Michael got his Covid vaccine appointment canceled because he owed $243 to Boulder Medical Center and the incident quickly spread on social media
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Journalist Chris set out on a mission with his colleague to find out how could they cancel Michael’s vaccine that’s supposed to be free for anyone due to his medical debt
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Here’s the email that Michael’s partner Liz sent to 9News
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
And the CEO of Boulder Medical Center said he would fix the situation
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
But Chris says it’s not fair for a patient to contact the news to help negotiate with a medical insurance provider to get something that’s essentially free
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Chris encourages everyone to fight for their right to a Covid vaccine
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
And finally, Michael is getting his deserved vaccine!
Image credits: chrisvanderveen
People joined the thread to comment on the incident and how flawed the American medical system really is
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The post Hospital Canceled An Elderly Patient’s COVID Vaccine Because He Was 3 In Medical Debt, So This Journalist Decided To Fight For Him first appeared on Bored Panda.
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