Orlando, FL – Two Florida hospitals will not seek payment of medical bills from the dozens of people treated for injuries suffered in the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando in June, officials at the health facilities said.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The move leaves the hospitals with estimated unreimbursed costs topping $5.5 million, they said on Thursday.
Forty-nine people were killed and 53 were wounded by gunman Omar Mateen before police fatally shot him after a three-hour standoff inside the gay dance club on June 12.
U.S. authorities said Mateen was self-radicalized and acted alone, without assistance or orders from abroad, to commit the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
“It was incredible to see how our community came together in the wake of the senseless Pulse shooting,” said Daryl Tol, president and CEO of Florida Hospital. “We hope this gesture can add to the heart and goodwill that defines Orlando.”
Florida Hospital treated 12 shooting victims at a cost of about $525,400, it said.
Orlando Health said in a statement that it expects to absorb costs exceeding $5 million after payments from funding sources such as insurance plans. Its main hospital, Orlando Regional Medical Center, treated 44 patients at its trauma center located a few blocks from the nightclub.
One patient hurt in the attack remains in guarded condition at the hospital, spokeswoman Sabrina Childress said in an email.
“During this very trying time, many organizations, individuals, and charities have reached out to Orlando Health to show their support,” Orlando Health President and CEO David Strong said in a statement. “This is simply our way of paying that kindness forward.”
The nightclub remains closed. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton made a quick stop at the memorial outside Pulse on Wednesday, the Orlando Sentinel newspaper reported.
the rewards for being gay in this country are endless!
To commenter #1 No… The “rewards” for being murdered in cold blood because someone was hell-bent on expressing their own closeted evil is what I believe you’re referring to. I’m relatively certain the dead would have preferred to be very much alive, even if that meant they had a hospital bill waiting for them. Kindly remember that this isn’t about “the gays,” but innocent people who were murdered for absolutely no good reason. With respect and greetings for a peaceful shabbat shalom.
had there been such an attack on the straight population, the survivors would NOT not have to pay. like i said :
“ the rewards for being gay in this country are endless!”