https://www.justlanded.com/english/United-States/USA-Guide/Health/Hospitals
I quote a commentator's remarks:
Quote:
I'm a doctor in an emergency room.
The main point of this article is correct: you have to pay for health care you receive. The government doesn't pay for you.
However, there are a few errors in the article.
First, hospitals must provide emergency care to all patients, even if it's not a *life-threatening* emergency. In the broken leg example, if you didn't have insurance, your emergency room visit would be the same as if you did. If you need a hospitalization for an emergency surgery or procedure, the hospital is required by law to admit you and stabilize you regardless of your ability to pay. The difference would be where you follow up as an outpatient--if you don't have insurance, you will have to see a bone doctor in a public clinic, since a private bone doctor won't schedule an appointment with someone who won't pay.
Second, if you don't pay your bill, you won't get sued. The hospital might send a collections agency after you, but you won't get sued by the hospital.
I've worked in private and public hospitals. The only consistent difference between the two types of hospitals is the decor and quality of the cafeteria. Some public hospitals have great doctors and provide excellent care, some private hospitals are nightmares. Private hospitals do not necessarily provide better care than public ones.
unquote
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