Daily BrewHow much for cable? Halifax family shocked at hospital charge
The health care is covered. But the cable, that's on you, bub. And it doesn't come cheap.
Imagine the surprise of one Halifax woman when she was presented with a bill for $93.38 after her mother suffered a stroke. Apparently, that’s the cost for access to Judge Judy reruns for a week.
Eryn Denis told CBC News that her mother spent a week recovering in a rehabilitation centre. And while the care was terrific, the cost to watch television was "highway robbery."
That's how they getcha. Halifax hospitals all charge a minimum of $9.50 per day for television access. That is just for basic cable, imagine if they watched HBO.
Let's do a quick tally. A daily charge of $9.50 works out to $285 over the course of an average month. Haligonians can currently get cable television, Internet and cell phone service from a local provider for $100 a month. It seems odd they would have to pay triple that just for basic cable while recovering from a stroke.
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Spokesman David Kersey told CBC News that Capital Health gets their cable from a company called Hospitality Network, which charges "fairly standard rates."
A quick scan of Hospitality Network's operation shows the company serves hospitals in every province, offering cable access at various rates. The company boasts 230 healthcare clients, including hospitals and senior care homes.
At Winnipeg's St. Boniface General Hospital, the daily rate is $13.44. At Vancouver's B.C. Children's Hospital the charge is $8.50 per day, plus $3.25 for a headset. The company says it provides patients with entertainment while securing revenue for hospitals, which can be reinvested in patient care.
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Last year, Capital Health made $310,000 off of television rentals, all of which was reportedly reinvested in hospital operations.
Hey, no one thinks entertainment should come free. But charges this high, coming at a time when people are at their most vulnerable, are fairly shocking. Next hospital visit, perhaps read a book and record your daytime soaps for later.
(Photo courtesy of CBC)
