Medical Malpractice - How do hospitals to stay in business when they have to treat everyone that walks into the door?

How do hospitals to stay in business when they have to treat everyone that walks into the door?

Federal law mandates all people entering the emergency room must be treated, whether they have insurance, can pay, or are even here legally. We know that hospitals in inner cities are closing like crazy. Los Angeles has lost many hospitals. How are hospitals supposed to stay in business when so many do not pay?

Public Comments

Well, just as you pointed out they are going out of business. However, in many cases they get a kick back from Medicare so it's not a complete loss for them.
This is why healthcare costs are so high. The costs are absorbed by everyone who does pay.
All they are required to do is get them in good enough shape to be transferred to a State or Federal Hospital. The problems coming in are when the State and Federal Hospitals can no longer handle the amount of patients. IF we did something about illegal immigrants from any country using our facilities (which since they are illegal, the should not be allowed to use them) a lot of the burden would come off the health care system. The government also needs to do something for people who cannot afford insurance. They need to work, or be on disability or SSN, but there should be a plan available to all legal US citizens.
Federal law does not mandate that, though if seriously ill they will stabilize and send them on their way! At least sometimes. One lady took 45 minutes to bleed to death on an ER floor in California, while nurses and physicians were walking over her body! Most hospitals who treat indigent people are state or city hospitals. Many hospitals, in order to get low interest government loans, indicate they will give out so much free care a year. Most hospitals make A LOT of money!! And I mean a LOT! I would not worry about them. They even get Tax-exempt non-profit status when the do make money, they just don't show making any! And how many is "so many"? Have any fact's other than a statement, which isn't fact at all!