Does the state pay for indigents?
In the debate Romney said the state picks up the tab for freeloaders on the healthcare system. Is this accurate? Does the state cut a check to doctors and hospitals for indigent care or does the cost get passed to everyone else through higher prices required to cover the losses?
- Answer (2)
- · Comment
- · UnfollowFollow (0)
Answer by Fred Cole
Yes and no. If they qualify they're covered by Medicaid. (Hospitals have social workers available to help them apply.)
I don't know about the workings of Medicaid, but if its like Medicare, then it pays set prices for service. If the cost of those services exceeds the amount Medicare pays, then it has to be made up somewhere else.
Answer by flownover
They can't turn them away in the ER. Our local hospital writes off millions in uncollectible, probably plenty of accounting tricks in that, but plenty of charity as well.
But in the old days, most hospitals were church affiliated and quasi-charities anyway. The government is forcing them out asap. So the majority of the church affiliated are now Catholic, so the new spear is going to be abortion. If they support it, all fed funds are gone.
Join Ricochet or Sign In to add your comment.