I’d hazard a guess that few, if any, in this administration or among the those who handed them the reins of government would be moved by narratives like this whose understanding requires a shred of empathy and compassion for random unfortunate others. A person’s value in this worldview is solely measured by net worth. Or, possibly net worth modulo unqualified support for the administration’s leadership. But I’m not sure about the latter.
Legal rights are now largely contingent on favorable patronage.
ERs cannot turn people away. Waiting times will get longer. Hospitals owned by private equity will get a surprise bite to their bottom line. University hospitals will send their bills to the state.
No, not exactly. EMTALA only requires emergency stabilization. It doesn't exempt medical bankruptcy or dumping stabilized patients on public hospitals.
Didn't the ACA reduce DSH payments because more people would be receiving Medicaid and thus the need for DSH was reduced? I've not read the Big Bad and Ugly Bill but I'm presuming that since it cuts Medicaid, and the GOP has so little empathy, that funding for DSH was not increased. (Though as I write this I realize how stupid I sound; of course the GOP did not increase funding!)