[amalcon]

The fundamental problem with this is that figuring out how much you owe the public takes time. If I'm found passed out on the street (say, due to a stroke, or even just from slipping and hitting my head), I'd prefer to be treated immediately, and we'll work out payment after.

There's also the problem that a significant portion of these costs (though likely not the majority) are incurred on law enforcement, not on medical care. Simply denying law enforcement is only going to make the problem worse.