Vic Chesnutt Struggling to Pay $35,000 Hospital Bill
- Posted on Oct 22nd 2009 2:30PM by Benjy Eisen
- Comments (324)
When the benefit album 'Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation' was released in 1996, the compilation did not benefit Vic Chesnutt, although it was focused on him. A non-profit series founded by singer-songwriter Victoria Williams, Sweet Relief sought to assist ailing musicians in need of health care. Chesnutt, a paraplegic, was sympathetic to the cause but at the time, he had his own health insurance. 'Sweet Relief II' was a compilation of other musicians (including R.E.M., Garbage, Smashing Pumpkins and the Indigo Girls) covering Chesnutt's songs to raise money for the cause. And, in doing so, it raised Chesnutt's public profile.But more than a decade later, Chesnutt could actually use that money instead. "Right now, I'm in huge trouble in that the hospital is suing me for $35,000, which is terrifying, and the rub is that I have health insurance," Chesnutt tells Spinner. "I have hospitalization insurance, for which I pay almost $500 a month, and then on top of that I still owe the hospital $35,000. That is truly an insane system. I did everything right and I'm still under the gun."
Chesnutt says he thinks President Obama's plan "is kind of a joke" although he is a big fan of the public option. "We need to target health care costs, not just insurance for everyone," says Chesnutt. "Why are our health care costs out of control? If [President Obama] had the public option, that would not do a thing to bring down health care costs."
In sunnier news, Chesnutt has just released his latest album, 'At the Cut,' with a support cast that features Guy Picciotto (Fugazi), members of Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra and members of Godspeed You Black Emperor.
As for getting some relief for his health care costs, Chesnutt says that he actually did talk to Sweet Relief about his recent situation. "They were just like, 'Woah! That's too big of a problem for us -- you're going to have to talk to somebody else about that,'" recalls Chesnutt. Ouch.





Reader Comments(1 of 17)
Jon Hansonat 10-22-2009
Why not set up a situation to raise the money and put together a virtual benefit for Chestnutt? I'd be willing to donate a few songs for non-exclusive use and negotiate a deal with the hospital. I did commercial loan work-outs for years.
After a payoff and a time frame was established an account could be set up to collect the non-tax deductible funds to pay the bill.
Musicians/fans (aren't we all) can donate for a good cause and download the Compilation Album (no physical albums--too much cost and mailing).
Folks could donate in units of $10. If the hospital he owes is non-profit it opens even more avenues.
Jon Hanson myspace.com/hansondemo
Barbat 10-23-2009
I was laid off from my job of 30 yrs. I was colecting unemployment. I found out I
had to have brain surgery.Had a cerebral aneurysm. My unemployment
stopped & I had no income. I live alone
renting. Does anyone care? This is our
US of A.
Greg Gebhardtat 10-23-2009
This is happening to people all over the country and YOU want to see a benifit set up to help this one person? Yoiu people don't get it. We need to reform the insurance and health care system but NOT let our goverment take it over. WHAT HAS OUT GOVERMENT EVER DONE WELL?
Hughat 10-23-2009
Well, Greg. Our government runs the VA Medical system, which works pretty well. If you have a better idea, bring it. Otherwise, quit whining "what has our government done well", WAAAAAAAA!
courtrappat 10-23-2009
The VA medical system???? Obviously you don't know anyone who has ever needed care from the VA...NOT the example of anywhere near efficiency.
Rickat 10-23-2009
Hugh,I am a disabled veteran who is in the VA system and if you want to use that as an example of what the government does right, you may want to re-think whats right. Endless waits, constant phone calls that aren't returned and treatment not fit for a dog hardly constitutes right!
wendyat 10-23-2009
What a great idea Jon! If Vic's PR folks see this thread, please let us know if there is an option for chipping in online somewhere.
505Momat 10-23-2009
The government runs the VA well???? I'll give you that they run it. And they get complimented on the Medicare system frequently but what are they doing to combat fraud? 92.8 Billion (that is a B)paid in fraudulent claims over the last 7 years - Now the government wants to cut payments to providers - this means more out of the pockets of our seniors - many of whom chose between food and medication on any given day. Giving the government control over that aspect of our lives is not something I want to see happen. I agree- something needs to be done about the way insurance companies handle claims and the uninsured population - but I know that in many cases employers offer insurance (at reasonable rates) but the employees don't take it since they qualify for low income free programs. So blaming it all on corporate America is not the way to solve it.
Susanat 10-23-2009
The earlier comments about the VA are, in my opinion, untrue. My fiance is retired military after serving for over 20 years, and the VA has bent over backward to help him with anything he needs - free - including eye surgery, glasses, orthopedic braces, etc. I was astounded to see such a clean, well-run hospital with staff which always thanked him for his service to the country. As one who has worked in hospitals for many years, I was not expecting the high quality of care and compassion he gets from the VA, and think a lot of people don't know what they're talking about.Incidentally, if you are a veteran and are experiencing difficulty in getting an appointment, call your congressman. That works - and fast!
Kevinat 10-23-2009
I agree this guy needs our help, but so do millions of others. And I don't think it's all cprperate america's fault, I pay about 200 hundred dollars a month for my insurance and for me that's reasonable but it may not be for someone else. The company I work for offers two kinds insurance I opted for the more costly one because in my opinion its better but that is my choice hecnce OPTION. Insurance companies and medicine is about making money first health second all any of us really want is for health to come first instead of money.
Macat 10-23-2009
There are plenty of people in similar situations, that pay or paid for health care, yet the first catastrophe, to hit will bankrupt many if not most of us. Sympathy yeah, but there are too many in need. Don't fool your self and underestimate the need for a health care system immediately!! Public option, co-pay option, anything is better than nothing. People aren't dumb, they will continue to go to Emergency rooms until a public option is available. That means people like you and me will continue to pay directly or indirectly. Congress has been tap dancing for years, time to put up or shut up.
The All Knowing And All Powerful.....seriouslyat 10-23-2009
Hugh, I'm sorry to see that you're completely unaware of the reality of our government. Crawl out from under your rock and do some research before commenting on things you know nothing about.
shortschoolbusat 10-23-2009
The band Live does a cover for a Vic Chestnut song named 'Supernatural'. Great song. Look it up on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dj7cZMeaBc
Roseat 10-23-2009
So now a frikin singer knows more about the unfinished, undefined, unapproved health plan than anyone else. Shoot, sign him up as a commentator on Fox News! LOL!
RCMat 10-23-2009
Anyone who thinks that this government is going to make it all better by insuring 40 million more people without health insurance, without jacking the price of it all up higher to those of us who have coverage, is dreaming. The only way you will get the costs down is to stop treating the illegals, and uninsured. I'm sorry, but I pay for my way, and you pay for yours. The cause is great, but like most music industry performers, unless you are just a weekend warrior, you spend like crazy with celebrity, then cry broke. SPARE ME.
Cynthiaat 10-23-2009
Jon,
What a kind and generous offer you've made to someone in need. God bless you.
To Barb and the Veterans,
If you live in a big city, contact your local hospitals, Planned Parenthood clinics (yes, they offer valuable services other than birth control) - so many have grants and programs they can refer you to for uninsured/underinsured Americans that can help you get the care you need. Please don't give up - be proactive in your cases, stand up for yourself - don't wait for anyone else to do it for you. Also, contact your local paper or TV news outlet, tell them your story - I know that's easy to say - but I myself am in a similar situation, and this is what I have done - I've been diagnosed with an enlarging abdominal mass and the wait for testing (and treatment and surgery), to determine what this is - is agonizing and worrisome...But I believe that if I can get through this maze to find appropriate medical care, I might be able in turn to help someone else get through it.
The process might be slow, the care may be inadequate to what is needed, but I would rather be proactive and do the best I can with what is available than criticize a process that isn't personalized to me.
shortsweetmad2at 10-23-2009
i think u are right what kind of health care do we have here in the good ol usa ? i also have health insurance and like alot of people we can not afford the copayments which are way out of control ! and if we didn't have the insurance then we would be fined at tax time which i find is wrong so u see we just can not win no matter what they try in reform ! i think that as of right now there is no longer a thing called middle class unless something is done right now the health insurance companys will only be getting richer and we working people will always be indebt to the health insurance companys because they keep rasing the premiums and the copays . so please tell me how in the world are we surpose to be able to afford health insurance when its so high ?
Dr. Ed G.at 10-23-2009
This won't be a popular post because it deals with the blunt truth. First, he should have read and understood his policy. If he still owes that much he was underinsured. In my office I have NEVER had a claim denied for something covered. Problem is, a lower priced plan will cover, say 20k maz for chemo, so if you are given a drug like Avastin, which costs 25k per month, you aren't well covered. My plan covers it up to $3 million, and guess what? -it isn't expensive, about $390 a month for 3 of us. Why? Because it is for major problems and doesn't cover simple office visits. I take responsibility for the small stuff - but for something major I'm covered 100% to $3 million. If you buy a low cost policy that only covers 75%, you are going to owe money if you run a bill of $100k. Costs have gone up mostly due to new & expensive technology. Someone has to pay for this technology, and your gov't is broke. We could go back to older & cheaper technology, but everyone wants the best....and that isn't going to get any cheaper. If ANYONE can answer this one question, I can solve the whole issue: What happens when we have the technology to make everybody the $6 million man....expensive technology to keep almost everybody alive....but we don't have $6 million per man?
PortiaHardestyat 10-23-2009
Instead of paying off one singer's bill, we need to support President Obama's health care bill and write/call your Congressman/woman and Senators and urge them to keep the public option in the bill. That will help a whole lot of people and Americans in general. It will assure that people won't lose their insurance coverage when the insurance company thinks it is costing them too much money or prevent people from being refused coverage because of pre-existing conditions. This is something that must become law. Every modern, western nation gives better health care to their citizens than we do. This must change. This in return will make your medical bills come down.
ele9999at 10-23-2009
I am now a HUGE fan of HANSON...
Love the Soldier Boy SONG!!!
GREAT STUFF...