Defending the Truth

No, because the fire department's job isn't as specific as health care. As we see in California, a fire left to burn can effect many people. Municipal services are far different than health care for the individual.

Yes they are required to pay for it. But they do not have to pay before receiving the care. They still get treated and yes then they are billed. Try that with your plumber the next time you pipes burst. Hey fix my pipes and I will pay you later, he'll laugh and leave.
There is no mistruth, the hospital is require by law to provide care, failure to do so can result in a large fine, usually in the range of 6 or 7 figures to that facility.

If the hospital is private again by law they are required to treat a patient that is in dire need, and ensure that the patient it stable before transferring to another facility. Failure to do so would result not only in a fine from the government, but more than likely a huge settlement from a civil court case. This is the reason why so many private hospitals do not offer emergency room services.

The reason healthcare is so expensive is due to third party pay, failure to pay by some who receive treatment, high insurance cost to doctors and facilities to guard against law suits, and the pay out from the ridiculous rewards given in law suits. Like it or not, sometimes good people make mistakes. States have had to pass good samaritan laws in order to protect people, because people have sued those who have tried to help. That says it all. Your wife or husband drops from having a heart attack and someone who knows CPR tries to help, but his efforts fail, wham, the next thing you know your in court being sued and juries fall for the bull shit that comes out of the lawyers mouth.

So again where is the mistruth?????

The people I bash are the ones that already are receiving healthcare coverage from the government who do not pay for it. Mr Guiliani has private insurance, and if his insurer deemed that the trip was not worthy of the emergency room visit, would not cover the cost under his policy. The government does not do that, they still foot the bill without ever putting a financial incentive on the individual. Therein lies the difference. With a private insurer, if the trip is not an emergency, they will make you pay, the government still covers the bill.

When you don't have to pay and you abuse the system you deserve the labels I give. You forget, when a person comes in, and I am given the order I can see whether they have Medicare, Medicaid, or Private insurance. The real emergencies we get at night all have private insurance, the colds and other crap, all have Medicaid.

Nice try though, read the posts more carefully next time and don't assume.

dmk

Emergency rooms REALLY HATE IT when something like this walks in.

Usually they do not walk in, they are deposited on our door by the police department or by the fire department.

dmk

The mistruth is in your objection to my statement that 'many Americans are unable to enjoy such a simple benefit'.

Even after all of your statements above, my initial contention still remains true. Many Americans (with or without insurance) simply can't go to the hospital for something as simple as a headache (or even something more serious) because they simply can't afford it. Exactly how is that not true??

Indeed, to defend the system is to defend the privileges of the rich and punish the poor for getting punished. Even though Guiliaini pays for his own insurance he still uses up valuable hospital time and resources in his trip to the emergency room so the doctor can tell him to take an aspirin. If you are blind to the inanity of this visit then you are blind to the simple and obvious truth of this situation, and partake in the hypocrisy.

The idea would never work. All those little bottles would have to go through customs first. As everybody knows, all customs agents are grossly obese, bald, and only work about 3 hours a day placing little red stamps on documents.