Stable is subjective. It's also common for non-state hospitals to say "outside our expertise; transfer to state run-hospital".

Thing is the state hospitals will actually try to cure you; and they are fairly good at it. Harborview (part of University of Washington) is the only L1 trauma center in the region.

For-profit hospitals stick it to the taxpayers by doing this. It's a good argument for some form of universal healthcare, since we're paying one way or another.

except they (the doctors at the hospital doing whatever is required to save your life) get to decide what "stable" means. I imagine for many doctors that get into the profession because they care about their fellow humans, the answer is sane, but I imagine there are still plenty of for-profit hospitals/doctors whose idea of "stable" is much lower.

But stable doesn't mean (for instance) treating your very treatable brain cancer after discharge. They will remove the tumor causing falling and doziness, but won't provide radiation / chemo follow-up until its terminal and you have to be inpatient.