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> Edit: Additionally, there are laws in place in the US that state in emergent situations, no hospital (public or private) can deny care - regardless if you can
by iamnothere 7y ago
> Edit: Additionally, there are laws in place in the US that state in emergent situations, no hospital (public or private) can deny care - regardless if you can pay or not. So the article title might be a bit sensationalized.
This is true, but many life-saving treatments (such as chemo or radiation treatment for cancer) are not "emergency" treatments, despite being necessary and somewhat urgent.
- JohnFen 7y agoThe legal obligation hospitals have is that they must treat you if you are have a life-threatening emergency happening. That treatment can be the minimal amount needed to stabilize you so that you aren't at immediate risk of death. There is no obligation to treat you beyond that, nor to engage in follow-up care.
- iamnothere 7y agoYes, that is the current legal obligation. This is not enough, and important life-sustaining healthcare (such as cancer treatment) should be available to everyone, even if it is not an immediate emergency.
- JohnFen 7y agoI agree, but we're a long way away from that in the US.