tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4988839706387198339.post5338184237919291549..comments2024-03-17T12:51:46.412-07:00Comments on Cutting Through The Crap: Lasted More Than Four HoursSid Schwabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14182853083503404098noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4988839706387198339.post-59962791172312522642012-01-14T08:13:42.091-08:002012-01-14T08:13:42.091-08:00Yes, as these politicians are so fond of telling u...Yes, as these politicians are so fond of telling us, anyone can visit an emergency room. What they fail to mention is that you still have to pay for it, and ER treatment is not cheap. <br /><br />And just try getting a refill for your blood pressure meds in the ER, or a PAP smear, or a prostate exam, or a skin cancer screening, or...Rattakinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4988839706387198339.post-20250539369536630852012-01-10T13:28:46.362-08:002012-01-10T13:28:46.362-08:00This is a complicated issue, from one standpoint, ...This is a complicated issue, from one standpoint, everyone in the U.S. (regardless of whether or not he/she is a citizen) is entitled to some form of care. If I recall, per EMTALA regulations, hospitals cannot refuse to provide treatment (which may only include a diagnosis) to a person who enters the facility's emergency room. Additionally, all non-profit hospitals are required to provide communities with a certain amount of uncompensated care (which usually takes the form of charity care). Finally, community health centers will treat low income patients free of charge.<br /><br />With that said, the current system is horribly inefficient and does not meet the health needs of a large portion of the U.S. population, thereby resulting in thousands of deaths per year and a lower quality of life for millions more in the U.S. The inefficiencies in the system also cost Americans billions in wasted healthcare costs, but that is a topic for another time...<br /><br />The 'Accountable Care Act' provisions should resolve some of these issues (for American citizens anyway); however, as with any new (and expansive) bill, it will likely have unintended consequences (some good and some bad).Anthony Hopperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708347177061466201noreply@blogger.com