Coma footballer is $1 million in debt in San Francisco

Good ideas but let's also put pressure on the DA to arrest and prosecute the animal who should be charged with attempted manslaughter.....what is this mutts background, martial arts? He certainly knew how to launch a life threatening attack.

CroughPatrick--I won't argue with you about the Irish medical "system". It terrifies me and I always breath a sigh of relief when my plane out of Dublin gets airborne and I know that I have once more avoided contact with the Irish hospitals. I think the point that several posters have made is really important--the GAA, and/or the San Francisco club, owe a duty of care to this young man. I doubt that the SF club has any spare cash, so it's up to the GAA to step up to the plate. For example, if they want to avoid accepting liability, they could organize a collection at the All of Ireland Games that come up in September at Croke Park. There are not far off 100,000 people at those games. Should be able to collect 100.000 bucks no problem.

People pop off about the American system but when an American defends it people like TIOCF stoop to name calling ("arrogance of some Americans") I mean, you want me to sit here and watch a few socialists bash a great U.S. health care system? Just the facts Tiocf: We may have a problem of how to pay for it but our health care is fabulous.

How do people know he wouldn't have survived in Ireland and Canada? Is it only the US you can possibly survive and a brain injury? Jeez the arrogance of some Americans is unreal.

But with Canadian or Irish health care you wouldn't have survived this man's injuries....

But with Canadian health care you wouldn't have survived this man's injuries.......

Glad I live in Canada where we have medicare! No expenses like this :)

Everyone travelling ot the US should be well prepared with a health insurance policy. This article doesn't mention if he had one or not, but wouldn't the football team have coverage or at least advise their players, or make mandatory, that they get coverage? Maybe he does have coverage and the million dollars is just his portion.... In any event, it is great to see him making progress.

the title of this article is very misleading. Mark is only in debt if he is responsible for the medical expenses.Since it is very unlikely that the person who assaulted him would be able to pay the bill even after a civil court case the issue is whether he skips the country or those who brought him out to play gaelic football face up to their responsibilities and use their insurance. I would be very surprised if he left Ireland without his own insurance and since this is not considered a "dangerous" sport in insurance terms he should be covered. If not, then either the club he played for should have insurance or the bosses of GAA in dubllin, with millions at their disposal should do the honourable thing.

Wonderful news on his recovery. He does not have to pay those US health bills. Just walk away. Republicans have been saying for years that we don't need universal health care because people can just walk into an Emergency Room, get help, and skip the bills. Of course the government ends up paying. ... P.S. The one time I visited an Emergency Room (Christmas Eve, many years ago), for a problem that at that time required a $25 cortisone shot, the visit ended up costing me nearly $900 (Yes, I paid). Using the ER as a universal system greatly inflates the cost US healthcare.

First of all, so delighted to hear Mark is doing so well and a huge thank you to SF General for obviously doing an amazing job caring for Mark and his family. I am an American citizen living in SF for 20 years and yes the health care system in USA need a lot of fixing. My tax dollars go to a lot of unnecessary places here but if my tax dollars are going to SF General and other care facilities like that, and helping others like Mark then I am happy. There is a saying in Ireland...Health is your wealth.... No money in the world can pay for it and personally I do not begrudge my tax dollars going toward any persons/human beings health that they themselves are unable to pay for. We can all play the blame game but a young lad, son, brother, nephew, friend is lying in a hospital due to no fault of his own and he just wants to live a life like the rest of us. One thing I will say is.. the organization who brought this young lad out here should have been more prepared for something like this happening. After all, this is a contact sport and stuff happens. Maybe next time have some sort of insurance for young lads like Mark before bringing them out here and asking them to play in a rough contact sport. That to me is irresponsible and that is all I am going to say.

The U.S. does not have the best system in the world in my opinion. I totally agree with Sparklet's comments where at least in the U.K. you wont bo bankrupt like in the U.S. over medical bills.

I agree with JohnnyMac.

He is not in debt. He is the victim of a violent crime, and in the US there is a "victim's fund" that covers such debts. If and when the accused is arrested and found guilty, he will be responsible in civil court to pay damages to Mark McGovern AND the McGovern Family. The family may sue the accused for the expenses they incurred while being here in the States with their son. No Mark McGovern is not in debt due to this crime.

GeorgeDillion, there was nothing in my statement that says he or other tourists or the poor should be turned away at a hospital in the US. what I said is a fact. He doesnt have to pay. Just as God forbid he dies, his family does not have to pay his bills. Its just one of many reasons health care is expensive in the US. We have the most expensive and also the best. Like I said, this happens to him in Ireland, he is dead for sure. It happened in the US , he's still alive against all odds. once he's better, let's get him on a plane so his own country can start footing the rehab bill. Who was that girl who got hurt in America and the doctors saved her, but when she went back to Ireland for rehab she took a turn for the worse? I'v heard the stories about the care you get in an Irish hospital. If I was in a serious car accident and my leg was falling off in Ireland, I wouldnt say hurry get me to the hospital, Id say get me to Shannon Airport now. Would you rather be treated for a serious illness for free in the US or Ireland/England? I think we all agree on that one ;)