Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is facing criticism after a Vox investigation revealed that a San Francisco hospital with his name is out of network with private health plans, leaving policyholders on the hook for massive bills, according to a Business Insider report.
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, a community hospital and level 1 trauma center, was renamed after Mr. Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, MD, donated $75 million to the hospital.
The Vox investigation showed privately insured patients who visit the hospital's emergency room often pay significantly more for the services they receive at Zuckerberg than they would if they went to another hospital, because Zuckerberg isn't in network with any private health plans.
While Mr. Zuckerberg does not oversee day-to-day operations at the hospital and is not involved in implementing policy there, he is being criticized by some for the billing practices, according to the report.
One Twitter user, @Jason, said: "Can you imagine putting your name on a hospital, giving them $75m & then giving a no comment when your namesake price gouges your community?
Of course not, but #zuckerberg did."
The Facebook founder's lack of involvement also was noted.
Julia Carrie Wong, senior technology reporter at The Guardian, tweeted: "The fact that Mark Zuckerberg is getting flak for the billing practices of SF General is just amazing. Dude gave $75m for a $1bn+ renovation (ie he bought some equipment). He's not setting policy."
Sarah Kliff, author of the Vox piece, wrote in a series of tweets, "If you're a San Francisco resident frustrated with how Zuckerberg General is billing, a lot of your frustration should really rest with the city board of supervisors. You should also know that SF Board of Supervisors President Malia Cohen declined to comment for my story."
Access Business Insider's full report here.
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