Pulse survivors will not face medical bills

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - In the days after the Pulse nightclub shooting, the doctors and nurses who treated victims at Orlando Health and Florida Hospital did more than treat wounds. 

“A couple of nurses they stood in the room with me when I was emotional and crying.  They were just there for me and they deserve big props for that because they’re amazing for doing what they did,” said Christopher LIttlestar.

The 25-year-old was shot four times.  He hid from the gunman in a bathroom stall. 

“There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t cry.  I always thank god that I’m still here,” Littlestar said.

Now the hospitals that treated Littlestar and more than 50 others who were injured in the nightclub attack have provided another reason to be thankful: they will not send any medical bills to Pulse patients. 

“I had health insurance, so I really wasn’t as worried about it.  But for all my friends who didn’t have it I was really concerned.  Because not only do they have to get through recovery, but after that they still have to cover their medical bills and stuff like that,” LIttlestar said.

Orlando Health treated 44 patients after the attack.  A hospital spokeswoman said out-of-pocket expenses could be more than $5 million.

Florida Hospital treated 12 patients whose  out-of-pocket expenses totaled approximately $525,400, according to a hospital spokeswoman. 

A statement from Florida Hospital CEO Daryl Tol reads:  “It was incredible to see how our community came together in the wake of the senseless Pulse shooting.  We hope this gesture can add to the heart and goodwill that defines Orlando.”

The hospitals will collect money from insurance companies, the One Orlando Fund, and other sources.