After five days of what could only be described as a preview to hell, the dust has settled a bit, the perpetrators have been taken down and what remains of many lives are struggling to recover. The heroic efforts of first responders and tightly coordinated actions of law enforcement met the crisis head-on and seamlessly. What could have been a far more tragic and extended ordeal was thwarted by a nation properly prepared for the worst.
Still, even with a response as professionally executed, the loss of life and limb will carry a high price for the survivors. For some the price of recovery may be too high. While the Boston Marathon body count was remarkably low, the horrors for surviving victims are no less tragic. In fact, those left to care for the maimed will face challenges far beyond grieving the loss of a loved one.
When the medication, painkillers and sedatives begin to wear off, in a groggy state of mind those victims or their family members will eventually have a clipboard with a request for insurance shoved in their face. Perhaps for the luckily Mass. residents, they'll rest a bit easier knowing the state's Massachusetts health care insurance reform law, aka Romney-Care will shoulder some of the financial burden incurred by their life changing injuries.
But for those who aren't so luck to have a plan to absorb the catastrophic cost of an amputation, medication, hospitalization and rehabilitation, they may wish they'd been among the dead. Without knowing the status of each survivor's ability to pay for services rendered, its a sure bet, many are going to find themselves quietly sinking into irrecoverable debt.
As the sun sets on this latest incident of violence and the media has moved on, the ugly back stories will surface, but only silently. That's when the behind the scenes stress starts. The collection agency calls and letters threatening of law suits and wage garnishments if payment arrangements aren't made posthaste will be the real horror stories left untold. The pain of recovery is difficult enough without having to worry about the bills.
But for those who aren't so luck to have a plan to absorb the catastrophic cost of an amputation, medication, hospitalization and rehabilitation, they may wish they'd been among the dead. Without knowing the status of each survivor's ability to pay for services rendered, its a sure bet, many are going to find themselves quietly sinking into irrecoverable debt.
As the sun sets on this latest incident of violence and the media has moved on, the ugly back stories will surface, but only silently. That's when the behind the scenes stress starts. The collection agency calls and letters threatening of law suits and wage garnishments if payment arrangements aren't made posthaste will be the real horror stories left untold. The pain of recovery is difficult enough without having to worry about the bills.
At the time of this posting, we are unaware of any government programs or funding, made available to victims of acts of terror. If you are aware of assistance for innocents finding themselves in a similar circumstance, please share. Thinking of the reported 200 injured in the West Texas explosion, a state with the highest number of residents without health care coverage, should give one reason for pause.
Update: The following resources provide more information about victim compensation, including eligibility requirements, compensable costs, and the application process.When the Shit hits the fan in Texas, your are on your own.
Victim Compensation
Victim Compensation
Victims of violent crime may suffer financial stress that is as devastating as their physical injuries and emotional trauma. Crime victim compensation is a direct reimbursement to or on behalf of a crime victim for a wide variety of crime-related expenses, including medical costs, funeral and burial costs, expenses for mental health counseling, and lost wages or loss of support. Every state administers a crime victim compensation program that provides crucial financial assistance to victims of both federal and state crimes.
Whether any of these resources would help in West Test is doubtful.
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