Ladies Logic

Monday, March 16, 2009

Remember Me?

Hi all - sorry for the extended absence. However, I managed to get a rather nasty infection in both legs that landed me in the hospital. The good news is I am feeling better AND I have a computer and internet service so now you all are in for it. I have a couple of things that I had saved up and/or started writing prior to my hospitalization that I am going to start you on until I can get caught up on emails and all.

Oh and to those commenters out there....I have a few words for you as well.....

Labels:

posted by The Lady Logician at 1:30 PM

4 Comments:

  • The good news is that you apparently weren't turned away at the hospital doors for not having insurance.

    Hope your recovery is coming along quickly and smoothly.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:24 PM  

  • Anon - you do realize don't you that it is illegal for hospitals to turn away patients even if they can't pay. Every hospital I have every been in has big signs posted (usually in SEVERAL languages) advising people of that.

    Thanks for the well wishes.....

    LL

    By Blogger The Lady Logician, at 5:54 PM  

  • Oh gosh, that's right! Patient dumping is illegal. That's why only hundreds of hospitals do it every year. Or find a bazillion ways to avoid the limited provisions of Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Lady, this law only applies to certain participating hospitals, and only requires limited treatment meant to stabilize the patient, not treat the condition.

    A few key points: Any patient who "comes to the emergency department" requesting "examination or treatment for a medical condition" must be provided with "an appropriate medical screening examination" to determine if he is suffering from an "emergency medical condition". If he is, then the hospital is obligated to either provide him with treatment until he is stable or to transfer him to another hospital in conformance with the statute's directives.

    If the patient does not have an "emergency medical condition", the statute imposes no further obligation on the hospital, and the patient is shown the door. Of course, to get the coverage in the Act, the patient must cooperate with the hospital, and all too often by "cooperate" they mean "show us you can pay."

    So don't go pulling that GWB just-go-to-the-ER baloney on your readers.

    Oh, and given your fondness for anecdote rather than actual facts or policy, here's a little light reading on the subject of people responsible enough to go out and purchase health coverage.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:28 PM  

  • Golly Anon, you think that why they screen for the "emergency medical condition" might be to keep from jacking up the system for the sniffles and making the paying customers cover the difference? No? There is NO FREE LUNCH! Somebody pays or the business is no more. Urgent care implies some emergency not a way to scam for free antibiotics for your latest rash.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:27 PM  

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