Shriners End Free Care for All at Children’s Hospitals

[The Straight Story]

Shriners End Free Care for All at Children’s Hospitals


By the end of the month all U.S. children’s hospitals run by the Shriners fraternal organization will be collecting payments for insured patients, ending an 89-year tradition of free care, writes The Star-Tribune of Minneapolis.

While the uninsured will still receive free treatment at the 20 Shriners facilities, patients with coverage will be billed, and some families will be charged copayments as the charity completes adoption of a policy to which members agreed in 2009.

Shriners officials said the historic change in the group’s mission is necessary to keep it financially afloat after years of buffeting by rising health-care costs, flat donations, and a steep decline in its endowment. The charity considered closing several hospitals before members agreed to start collecting payments for care.

http://philanthropy.com/blogs/philanthropytoday/shriners-end-free-care-for-all-at-childrens-hospitals/37812?sid=pt&utm_source=pt&utm_medium=en

[SoCalDem]

1. That seems fair, BUT I wonder how many insurance providers will

"allow" treatment outside their own little web.. People most likely to have small children are also more likely to not be able to afford private insurance of the type that allows any doctor/any hospital. If young families HAVE insurance, it's usually from work & has strict rules about where , when and by whom treatment can be given.

[Evasporque]

2. if a region has a children's hospital...children are sent to them....nt

[Dappleganger]

3. That is sad, my nephew rec'd two free surgeries because of Shriners.

He had bone lengthening and muscle surgery twice when he was in elementary school (he has CP). It was a real godsend at the time.

[hlthe2b]

4. I've been very proud of these Shriner and Scottish Rite-run burn hospitals

My late father was proud of the work done to keep them going as a Shriner. While I understand this move, I still think they deserve a lot of kudos... Unfortunately, I hear that membership is really lagging, so I don't know what the future will hold. :toast: to these guys and their efforts. They are surely far more than Fez-wearing parade participants in funny little cars or trikes.

[CreekDog]

5. i donate to Shriners and can understand they are doing this

not charging, while benevolent, is actually benefitting health insurance companies who would ordinarily need to bear these costs.

[grilled onions]

6. Attention Millionaires

Instead of that extra trip to the Bahamas..a newer swimming pool/spa combination...a fat night out in town with your chums how about coughing up a bit of change to help an organization that helps those who can't help themselves.

[LeftyMom]

7. I don't have a problem with this.

Charging insurance when it's available allows them to continue to offer free care to kids that need it.

[al_liberal]

8. I'm a Shriner.

And I'm young in my temple at 42, the death of the greatest generation has depleted our ranks. There are now more Shriners dying each month than new people joining. Throughout our history we've referred to it as "The Greatest Philanthropy" but with so many of us dying we just can't contribute or raise funds as we did in the past. Some things will not change though, all of the transportation costs of the patient and family to/from the hospitals will continue to be free. These include any the transportation vehicles, drivers, meals, hotels, etc. This is something that Shrine temples around the country have offered from the beginning. It was a choice of closing what were considered to be the least attended hospitals or beginning to accept insurance from those that have it. I'm proud we decided not to close any facilities.

NEVER DOES A SHINER STAND SO TALL AS WHEN HE STOOPS TO HELP A CHILD