<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face=" Arial, Verdana, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Georgecs:
THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY...MORE INFO
We were not separated or divorced at the time she went in. One of the reasons I do not want to pay the bill is that I feel the "program" added to the problems verses helping. I did not sign any financial contracts, she did. But I was the one, along with her family, that admitted her. In the final divorce papers I said I would assume limited liablity of the costs (about $3,300). But they will not address my concerns or even talk to me about this billing because I am not the patient. There is presently no court order to pay this bill.
Below is the last letter I sent them (other letters were send prior, stating that I was open to meeting with them to resolve this):
From the desk of George Squires * 33314
Golden Meadow Court * Yucaipa CA 92399 * 909-790-9874
February 24, 2000
Mr. Soderblom,
In regards to your letter addressed to Cynthia Squires on February 18, 2000 and continued billings. I have tried to act in good faith to resolve this billing issue but you have disregarded my attempts. The following facts still remain.
1. I expressed my growing billing and treatment concerns to your staff throughout the program (I have a number of documents to validate this) which resulted several conversations with the BMC staff, but no corrective action.
2. I sent a total of 7 registered letters to Loma Linda BMC and received no response.
3. I made 3 calls directly to your office and 2 to Fabian Sythoff after sending the letters asking for a meeting to discuss this matter and received no response..
4. My October 6, 1999 letter was not a request for the bill to be reduced (the 20 treatment days would have ended on October 7, 1999), it requested that in the event of any additional treatment I be contacted.
5. My ex-wife Cynthia Squires has no recall and there is nothing documented that I have agreeing to billing based on extended care.
I believe it can be proven that Cynthia Squires, on September 9, 1999 at 12:45 p.m., was not in a stable and understanding condition or clear state of mind when entering into this open ended agreement. Follow up and communication by you and your staff has been substandard. I also believe your treatment based on results and promised structure to Cynthia Squires and her family was negligent.
Cynthia Squires does not live at the address listed on your February 18, 2000 letter, her new address is 92 Kansas Street, Apt. B-24, Redlands, CA. We are now legally divorced, her family has been torn apart, she does not practice sobriety and she receives no support from me.
If you pursue your currents demands I will produce, when taken into in a legal forum, the many documents and tapes that I believe show your organizations lack of good faith in treating and billing Cynthia Squires. Mr. Soderblom you should be ashamed for the part, or lack of, you have taken in matter and I would hope you would do your best to settle this fairly. I feel very strongly that based on the situation the bill should be voided. A time consuming legal battle, which I would also bring it to media’s attention, is in nobody best interest and should be avoided if possible.
Sincerely
George Squires
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My response:
Thanks for the further information George; however, you're not going to like what I have to say.
First, you had better talk to an attorney about what I'm about to tell you. First, since you were married at the time she was admitted, and despite the fact that she was the only one who signed the papers, while married in California, you are responsible for at least half of the Community property debts. However, the hospital can hold your hands to the entire debt since she was your wife at the time, and under California law, you owed your wife a duty of financial, and ongoing, support for all of her life-sustaining needs. This includes medical, housing, food, clothing, etc., etc.
If this billing was not made a part of the divorce agreement and property settlement, then you're on the hook.
Lastly, YOU are not a doctor. You may have believed, and still believe, that her treatment was wrong, incorrect, or whatever. But, UNLESS and UNTIL you can obtain the opinion of a doctor (who has reviewed her records) to make a professional opinion about such care and treatment at the hospital, your "opinion and a dime" won't buy you a cup of coffee. You'll need to obtain your wife's signature on a Medical Release form so that you and your doctor can get her records.
Good luck my friend. You now have enough information for you to get further advice from your own attorney in this matter.
IAAL
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