It's funny how a lot of people are so wedded to their preconceptions, they claim to be a *witness* to shit that isn't happening.
No, every medical condition is not considered a medical emergency. Doctors want to get paid for their labor, just like anyone else, and then there's the billing department. While you're getting an exam, the billing department is deciding whether or not to throw you out.
"Illegals" are indeed measured; especially by an outfit like KFF. Hospital admins are not stupid. They want to understand their income stream.
Not all hospital accept Medicaid. All accept Medicare. Those are federal funds. That's just a full of shit comment. If they're accredited, they take federal money.
Private charity provides jackall when it comes to medical bills. Most pay for *research*. As a patient, you can take a suitcase of cash to a hospital and the hospital will not admit you for anything less than "you will die" if you do not have an insurance card. Why? Because they cannot depend on the kindness of strangers, nor are they convinced you can carry enough cash in a suitcase to cover their costs.
Spoken like a person who has never dealt with an ER in any way shape or form. Get real.
