Albert Errato

Very good! While the usual, expected twists and turns, there were many unexpected and surprising twists too. Good story but close attention to follow the plot a must.

Love the show with your timely and informative interviews and news items. I decided to write after your piece, last night, on the price gouging the pharmaceutical companies get away with in part due to the laws governing Medicare - medically necessary - coverage. Recently my wife, a below the knee amputee, required a cyst in her stump to be drained. In order for the wound to heal from the inside, a "wound vac" was/is required. We've had experience with wound-vacs in the past, 10+/- years ago, so this was not at all alien to us. We were encouraged in that we assumed there would be a much shorter healing time due to the advances of the latest devices. We were surprised to learn that these wound-vacs are single use, disposable devices. Each time a dressing change occurs, (about every 3 days) a brand new device is needed, the old discarded. Initially we presumed they must be very cheep, not worth the time to clean, sterilize, and prep for reuse. However, when she had an appointment with her wound doctor, she was told to advise the doctor to NOT dispose of the soiled dressing, as it was changed just the day before, an disposing that dressing would require a "new" vac, at approximately $15,000. I did some research as we were shocked that a device costing that much was just thrown away?! Apparently these devices cost the providing company a few hundred dollars, but they bill the exorbitant amount getting reimbursed from Medicare. I feel this type of legal abuse is a big part of our Health-care problems. Thank you for exploring this if you feel it is important.