Idaho Falls Consolidated Hospitals V‪.‬

The Hospital admitted Louisa Gaitan for emergency surgery and later billed her $5,999.25. The Gaitans had no medical insurance. Mrs. Gaitan and her church each paid $150, leaving a principal balance of $5,699.25. Mrs. Gaitan anticipated future medical expenses of $800 for false teeth, $2,500 for a cardiac catheterization, and $16,000 for possible mitral valve replacement. Mrs. Gaitan and her husband resided in a home on three and one-half acres in Jefferson County, valued by the County Assessor at $17,905. They owned two vehicles with a total value of $300. They also had $236.17 in a checking account and $1,873.45 in savings which represented money their son gave them to help pay for Mrs. Gaitan's anticipated dental work and heart catheterization. Unable to work, the Gaitans received only a total fixed monthly income in Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits of $523.45. Louisa testified that their monthly expenses fully consumed their income.