Anonymous wrote:$50 copay IS CHEAP is OP

Howard County Health Department spokesperson Lisa De Hernandez told 11 News Investigates in a statement, "A family of five whose gross income is more than $79,416 must pay 100% of the (rabies vaccine) charges."

Maryland Department of Health spokesperson Chase Cook told 11 News that about 500 Maryland residents per year need the rabies vaccine. He said, in part, "We cannot speak for why the cost is so high. A person may decline any treatment."

Howard County Sen. Clarence Lam, D-District 12, is also a doctor.

"I think something's broke here. It's heartbreaking to hear this family's situation," Lam said. "If someone actually contracts rabies and they aren't treated and aren't vaccinated, they could die."

Lam said Maryland state law is too vague. He wants the general assembly to work on clarifying the language.

"One thing we could consider is that maybe there shouldn't have to be any income eligibility at all," he said.

Lam said, because rabies is a public health issue, perhaps the cost of the vaccine should be covered by the state. Otherwise, he worries more people will start thinking like this: "If people knew how much it cost, then they wouldn't go get it," he said.

Peterson and her family continue to dispute the charges, but as of right now, it looks like they will be forced to pay the $13,000.

Anonymous wrote:My friend had to do this and she had to go to the ER for all her shots. $500 EACH TIME! Nowhere else had the vaccine. They all kept telling her how great it was she was getting them done (she woke up with a bat literally next to her) but she also kept being like: no one can afford this!!