It sounds plausible but I'd love to verify it. I have no idea what % of people in the emergency room are uninsured and what % are not in an emergency setting.
It varies by region. Your state health department probably publishes the data.
Remember that emergency rooms cannot turn people away, doctors can.
Poor people in general often don't have primary care providers -- even with Medicaid or private insurance. Reasons are varied and complex. Access is a big issue... for example, if you don't have a car, how do you get to the only doctor who is accepting new medicaid patients across town?
Remember that emergency rooms cannot turn people away, doctors can.
Poor people in general often don't have primary care providers -- even with Medicaid or private insurance. Reasons are varied and complex. Access is a big issue... for example, if you don't have a car, how do you get to the only doctor who is accepting new medicaid patients across town?