Wow, so many uniformed prejudges in one post!
let's handle the first sentence - hospital ERs treating common stomach aches and headaches.
Hospitals in inner cites do get used as substute GPs. Why? Because poor people have no place else to turn when they get sick. That's part of what ACA is supposed to resolve. I say this realizing that you are perfectly fine with these people being refused treatment. Especially because the right wing blogosphere has told you every time a poor person does this you are paying for it. Truth is you are not paying for it. Most inner city ERs are part of health care systems that are private corporations. They suck up the cost of those who can not afford to pay.
I live in the Philly area. There are no less than 9 major hospital health care centers with ERs with 10 miles of me. Everyone of them a private corporation. 4 of those 9 operate ERs in inner city neighborhoods.
One other point about the high cost of treatment at an ER. Every hospital has protocals. A process that must be followed for every person who shows up in their ER. These protocals are meant to screen out all the less likely possibilities. This is done for your safety and health as well as liabilty double check for the hospital. Maybe, in the end, all that was needed was some Pepto Bismal. But, then again if it turned out that those stomach pains were being caused by diverticulitis, and your big intestine splits open a few hours after you walk out of the ER Pink Bottle in hand, you'll be dead in 24 hours and the hospital has lots of splainin' to do! Point being there is a reason for all the testing. Better safe than irreversibly sorry.
Your assumptions of what I think and feel are just that, an assumption.
I believe, having billed hospital claims, for 53 hospitals, in 12 different states, for 16 yrs, give me some BASIS, for my PREJUDICES.
And, I was the one getting people medical coverages/Medicaid/disability,,,,, so please don't even attempt, to assume, that you may have a better insight than I, unless you wish to throw your credentials and first hand experience, into the ring!
Besides, getting these types hospital claims paid for, one way or the other, or not,
does not negate the fact, that people need to be aware, educated, and given adequate clinical treatment, for routine/non threatening diagnosis's.
And yes, I am familiar with "protocol's" and how to tweak ICD9 codes, for maximum insurance payout!
I have worked with the poorest of poor, that I cried many nights over others' plights. I have also worked with scammers, that I wanted to ring their necks, as they don't even CARE whether their bill gets paid.
And YES, as far as a property owner and a tax payer, and one that pays my deductibles and the 20% left over, IN FULL, I might add, I DO help pay for those that pay nothing. By way of higher cotsts for services and taxes.
If my 16 yrs in hospital healthcare billing/caseworker setting isn't good enough for you, my cousin retired as asst director for 30 something healthcare clinics across 2 states. She makes more now, as a private consultant, than she ever did directing clinics. Other family member Director of nursing homes and social welfare worker, close friends' sister/bro-n-law owns the 4th largest privately held healthcare corporation in the world! Not to mention numerous doctor, nurse, and health professional friends.
NO, I'm sure you can see, I'm just prejudiced, and have no life experience to back up anything I say!
You can't teach people about things they have no interests in, healthcare, finances, taking care of themselves.
But most can sure work and master that latests newests iphone or video games, HUH!?
People will line up for a stupid gadget, but won't even attempt to impact their own health, in a positive way!
I guess that only bites, if the shoe fits.
HIV, Hepatitis, and ignorance, will bankrupt our healthcare system!
