Orlando hospitals waive medical bills for Pulse nightclub survivors
By Will Stroude
The injured survivors of the Pulse nightclub mass shootings will not have to pay their medical bills, after two hospitals announced that they will write-off the costs, according to the Orlando Sentinel
Together, the Orlando Regional Medical Center (OMRC) and Florida Hospital have said they will waive a combined $5.5m worth of expenses for the 53 people who were cared for in hospital following the terrorist attack.
“The Pulse shooting was a horrendous tragedy for the victims, their families and our entire community,” Orlando Health President David Strong said. “During this very trying time, many organizations, individuals and charities have reached out to Orlando Health to show their support. This is simply our way of paying that kindness forward.”
Orlando Health, who run the OMRC where 44 survivors were treated, will bill the survivors’ insurers for medical care, but anything that is not covered will be waived, while Florida Hospital will write off all the costs incurred. The families of the nine victims who died while receiving hospital care will also not be charged.
The President and CEO of Florida Hospital, Daryl Tol, said: “It was incredible to see how our community came together in the wake of the senseless Pulse shooting. We hope this gesture can add to the heart and goodwill that defines Orlando.”
One of the Survivors spoke of their relief that they would not incur expenses from the attack: “I was so worried because I can’t afford any of that,” said Mario Lopez, 34, who was visiting from Miami.