[cemab4y]

See

Possible closure of six free Shriners hospitals scares parents - CNN.com

If you have ever considered joining the Shrine, now is the time. Anyone can donate to the hospital fund!

see

Shriners - Welcome

[Ashlar2006]

Though I am not now nor will I ever join the Shrine ,I relise they do good works . But one thing I have never understood is why they don't use the insurance of those who do have medical insurance or medicare . Like the VA hospitals , they can off set some of the cost by using the insurance and medicare of those who do have insurance , then the Shrine hospital can pay the co-pay and other costs that insurance companies refuse to pay that that have accumulated from their care . I am a war veteran which I am treated for problems I developed from the Gulf War , and my insurance is billed for care I receive from the VA .

[fairbanks 1363pm]

if the shrine hospital system accepts insurance money than they are going to be changed because the government will now be able to regulate the hospital system. this is sad, it all boils down to the economy and the hit that the endowment has taken that operates these hospitals. the shrine will find a way to dig out of this. they can stretch a dollar as far as anyone can.

[cemab4y]

The Shriner's hospitals under consideration for closure (6 total), will remain in operation. The Galveston hospital, damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008, will be rebuilt. This will cost the fund some millions, but the decision was made.

There will be adjustments made, so that the Shriner' Hospitals will be able to accept insurance money from patients who have private medical insurance.

All of this was decided at the recent Shriner's Imperial Convention in San Antonio.

[Terry1955]

They are getting ready to break ground on a New hospital in St. Louis to replace the one they have now.

[mdonahue66]

Originally Posted by Ashlar2006

Though I am not now nor will I ever join the Shrine ,I relise they do good works . But one thing I have never understood is why they don't use the insurance of those who do have medical insurance or medicare . Like the VA hospitals , they can off set some of the cost by using the insurance and medicare of those who do have insurance , then the Shrine hospital can pay the co-pay and other costs that insurance companies refuse to pay .

Shrine hospitals will now be accepting insurance on an "optional" basis. They will present themselves as "no cost" as opposed to "free" going forward. This is important, but remember, no patient's family will be required to pay one penny out of pocket for healthcare services by Shrine Hospitals.

On a side note, our Shrine club is preparing for our annual Evaluation Clinic that we put on every spring. This is an event that a lot of our fundraising supports. Last year, we were able to sponsor twelve new children to the Twin Cities hospital. It's just my humble opinion, but I think that's pretty impressive for a club in a small town of 20000 people!