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by captain_perl 2823 days ago
For acute emergencies, like a heart attack or car accident, US hospitals are obligated to treat your immediate needs if you enter the lobby.

You just clutch your chest and say, "Help, I think I'm having a heart attack!"

Sadly, cancer doesn't qualify. Either you pony up $50,000 - $200,000 in the hospital lobby, or they call a security guard and escort you out of the building. Then you go home and die.

1 comments

Pretty good summary of "uncompensated care" here:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/03/who-...

The 1985 Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act requires hospitals to provide emergency services "regardless of ability to pay".

https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EMT...