Because as a society we know it’s cheaper to treat early and often rather than deal with emergencies 80% of the time.

Also, I agree with you, but likely from a different place. No individual should be paying a hospital bill, it should be included in a tax on my income. If I have lots of income I pay for lots of people, maybe an astounding amount, if I have little to no income I depend on my wealthy neighbors to cover me. Seems to me like the only way to go, that or I guess the rich get eaten.

"never get paid" means: by the care recipient. obviously someone pays ... it's spread across all who do pay their bills.

and you should pay your bill because the hospital will sue you for it. it's only when the debt is finally uncollectible that it gets absorbed.

why should I pay my income taxes when someone living below the poverty line doesn't pay any?