Here's a wild idea - it is handled by the state. (Unless you already have insurance) So... if you don't have insurance, guess where you can go? That's right -

Here's a wild idea - it is handled by the state. (Unless you already have insurance) So... if you don't have insurance, guess where you can go? That's right - to the emergency room, where they are legally obligated to treat you. And if you don't/can't pay, then the hospital. It is one of the costs of doing business, and if you are a county hospital, then the cost is eaten by the gov't. Needless to say, without handling the rest of the healthcare industry, just having the state pay for emergency care won't work. What you'll end up with is a one-way ticket toward emergency rooms packed with people there to get routine (non-emergency) care. Or, you get people that have legit emergencies caused by lack of routine care... pick your poison.