Harsh economy crowds ERs with uninsured

[MMiz]

Harsh economy crowds ERs with uninsured

Fayetteville, N.C. — Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has seen a sign of dire economic times: an increasing number of emergency room patients who are uninsured, laid off or can't find care elsewhere.

"There's an ever-increasing burden on us to take care of everyone who comes in the door," said Dr. John Reed, director of the emergency room that ranks as the 70th-busiest ER in the country. The rankings are based on visits in 2007.

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Are you seeing this in EMS too?

 

[Aidey]

According to my company we are seeing fewer transports thus far this year than the same time last year. They are attributing it to the fact that more people are unwilling to pay for an ambulance and they are just driving themselves to the ER.

I'm waiting for hospitals to start denying treatment to non-emergency patients. I'm not sure if its going to happen or not, but how long can hospitals afford to keep seeing non-emergency patients at a loss?

 

[Sasha]

"There's an ever-increasing burden on us to take care of everyone who comes in the door,"

People are so up in arms over socializing healthcare, but that will help ease the burden and decrease the "I have a cold" complaints in the ER.

People have no insurance, people can't afford insurance, the hospital is one of the few places that cannot turn them away for inability to pay. Illness doesn't care how much money is in your pocket or the lack of an insurance card.

 

[Aidey]

Most of the hospitals I've been in have some sort of sign up saying that they must provide you with medical care if you are having a medical emergency or are in labor regardless of your ability to pay.

Medical emergency are the key words there. At what point are hospitals going to start saying "Ok, you don't have a medical emergency, please see your family doctor or make an appointment at one of these clinics for your runny nose. Thank you and goodbye."

 

[Hockey]

Seems like everyone has the county health plan/caid and love to abuse it. I'm surprised with the money problems the county has, they haven't touched it.

I had a call yesterday the patient stated his toe-nail felt wierd. We drop him off in triage after turning over care, we walk out, finishing up the report and watch him walk out and go to the restaurant across the street.