No Such Thing As a Free Lunch

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=wrighto-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0735591458&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifrIf you don’t read the things Harold Pollack writes, I feel sorry for you. He has a real knack for making common-sense arguments and explaining complex things in a matter-of-fact way. Recently, he explained just exactly why it is wrong to suggest that emergency rooms are our universal coverage system in the U.S. Basically, people think that if push comes to shove anyone can go into an ER and get “free” care. This is the result of what happens when people explain the law known as EMTALA via that old childhood game of telephone. The requirement to assess and stabilize everyone who walks through the doors of an ER slowly morphed into the notion that if you can’t pay, ER care is free. That’s actually about as true as saying that if you don’t have wings, gravity will give you a pass and keep you from falling out of the sky. But, as you can see, I let my sarcasm get the best of me far too easily, which is why you should read Harold’s piece about the myth of “free” care.

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