Local man with flesh-eating bacteria claims he was discharged because he is uninsured. Here’s what the hospital said

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville man who has been battling with a flesh-eating bacteria for weeks said he believes he was discharged from the hospital early because he does not have insurance.

Nate Manor said he was discharged from Ascension St. Vincent’s in Riverside on Monday, following weeks of being in the hospital after being infected with flesh-eating bacteria.

“I’m in incredible pain, and I worry about it because it’s so extensive,” said Manor on Monday. “I worry about it getting infected. And then being in the hospital again. Being sick. Everything else.”

During that time, Manor said he was transferred between Ascension and UF Health in Gainesville, where there’s a burn unit that could handle his skin grafting needs. Manor showed News4JAX where he had skin removed from one leg and grafted onto the affected leg.

RELATED | ‘Definitely painful’: Jacksonville man believes he was infected with flesh-eating bacteria while cutting grass

Manor said he believes Ascension St. Vincent’s discharged him before he was healed because he was uninsured.

Manor said “the nurses, the discharge lady,” told him the discharge had to do with him being uninsured.

“That’s exactly what they said,” Manor said.

Ascension St. Vincent’s responded to that claim and sent a statement to News4JAX saying in part that they treat all patients with compassion regardless of ability to pay.

Read the full statement below:

We are committed to providing compassionate care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We encourage patients to contact our financial counseling team to discuss the available assistance programs we offer and community resources. We actively work to connect uninsured and underinsured patients with appropriate resources and follow-up care options. Out of respect for patient privacy, we do not share details about individual patients.

Ascension St. Vincent’s spokesperson

Manor said he’s relieved as it appears his leg does not have to be amputated. However, he is worried about his business.

“We don’t really have a nurse staff here to help with,” he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some steps on its website to prevent a flesh-eating bacteria infection.

• Do not eat raw or undercooked oysters or other seafood. Cook them before eating.

• Do not let raw seafood, its drippings, or its juices contaminate other foods.

• Always wash hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish.

• If you are at increased risk for infection, wear protective gloves when handling raw seafood.

• If you have an open wound, stay out of saltwater or brackish water, if possible.

• Cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if it could come into contact with coastal waters or raw seafood, its drippings, or its juices.