12-31-2016, 01:29 PM
(12-30-2016, 09:55 PM)Bob Butler 54 Wrote:(12-30-2016, 08:30 PM)Warren Dew Wrote: Actually, people like Classic X and I merely realize there was no "death by denial of health care" going on, since ever since the 1980s, emergency room services could not be refused based on ability to pay.
They can't turn away an emergency, but they sure don't provide the preventative medicine that could have prevented the emergency from happening. There is also a financial scramble that results from the government mandating services without providing funds to pay for it. Somebody pays, whether it is in terms of bad unpaid for coverage or increased expenses for those who can pay bills.
I do, however, believe that people like you and Classic X wouldn't realize this.
Emergency rooms are only obligated to stabilize a patient. Say you come in because you blacked out? You have a horrible headache? A scan reveals you have a brain tumor. The ER does not treat that. They give you a high dose of steroids and a sheet of paper with referral information for oncologists. You call the oncologists office and they want to know what insurance you have before you can get an appointment.
My BIL broke his leg in a car accident (car vs bike). The hospital ER put a cast on it and told my MIL she had to take him home like that, no weight bearing. She weighs about 90 lbs soaking wet. He is closer to 300. I don't know how they thought that was safe for anyone..