[JudgeWapner]

I've asked Mexicans living in the US what happens if you go to the hospital and have anecdotally been told that they will absolutely turn you away for inability to pay unless you are dying from trauma, hence why I asked.

Two storys now, you've told me of people who have actually paid for healthcare in MX. What happens if you are destitute and need gallstones removed, for example?

[hombre_fatal]

Doesn't surprise me. Look how ignorant Americans are of their own system as well. In this very thread Americans are revealing that it's possible to counter-offer at hospital checkout to save $10,000. Should be common knowledge, no?

Instead it's a highly upvoted anecdote in every HN thread about American healthcare. It goes around like fire-side superstitious oral story-telling. What's even the limit on this story? The guy above offered $1,000. What about $100 or $10? What about just leaving with a $0 bill? Since the latter is possible, is the $1,000 a meaningless gesture so we don't feel like assholes? Is this the system?

Also, Mexicans in America are often of a Mexico-hating variety since they left Mexico, and in my experience they will often pander to Americans by dumping on Mexico. Just like what you see in Americans abroad that play up the bullshit.

The destitute in Mexico go to a public hospital under the Seguro Popular program. I lived across from one.

You can get a high level overview here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Mexico -- For example, it doesn't seem like you realize that Mexico has a universal healthcare system.

[craftinator]

What happens in the US if you're homeless and have gallstones, and walk into a hospital asking for treatment?

[JudgeWapner]

go to ER after becoming violently sick, they send you to surgery within hours.

[craftinator]

Interesting. There's a large homeless population in my town, and I've always wondered how difficult it would be for them to get emergency medical care.