Back to the BYU Cougars Newsfeed

Commentary: Health care is shockingly expensive. Why can’t you deduct it all on your taxes?

In late March, my right elbow suddenly ballooned up, becoming red, painful and hot to the touch. But what I assumed was tennis elbow proved to be cellulitis, a serious infection that required an IV of an expensive antibiotic dispensed during six hours in a Manhattan emergency room. The hospital billed my insurance company more than $10,000 per hour — $65,892.04, to be exact. I wasn’t even admitted for the night.

Fortunately my insurer will significantly reduce my share of the charges, but the ultimate out-of-pocket cost will still sting long after my elbow no longer does. Adding insult to injury, I can’t write off this unexpected and unavoidable expense on my taxes.