Source: John Raoux/AP
Two Orlando hospitals announced on Wednesday that they would not bill their patients who were
survivors of the
Pulse Nightclub shooting.
“Orlando Health has not sent any hospital or medical bills directly to
Pulse patients and we don’t intend to pursue reimbursement of medical costs from them,” shared Orlando Regional Medical Center in a statement to
ABC News.
44 victims were treated at Orlando Regional Hospital on the night of the mass shooting.
The hospital is now “exploring numerous options to help the victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy address immediate and ongoing medical costs. These include state and federal funds, private insurance, victim funds like the One Orlando fund, disability insurance, Florida’s crime victim compensation program, funding sources established for individual victims, means-tested programs like Medicaid, as well as charity care provided by Orlando Health.”
“The not-for-profit healthcare network said total unreimbursed costs ‘could exceed $5 million,’” explained ABC News.
Florida Hospital, which treated 12 victims of the shooting, will also not be billing out for the medical care.
“It was incredible to see how our community came together in the wake of the senseless Pulse shooting,” the hospital’s CEO, Daryl Tol, shared in a statement. “We hope this gesture can add to the heart and goodwill that defines Orlando.”
The news gave survivors a big sigh of relief.
“I was so worried because I can’t afford any of that,” shared Mario Lopez, who was grazed with a bullet and had fragments in his left side. Lopez hospital bill was supposed to be $20,000 for his seven-hour visit.
“It’s a huge relief,” shared Lopez.
