Post by Charles1952 on Feb 5, 2015 21:02:17 GMT -6
Marlingrace, if you don't mind, I think your thread has earned you an "Ot-ter." There has been valuable information throughout, it has been a serious and thoughtful discussion. Nicely done.
I think you're right, Senona, which brings up another unfortunate side to this. It's getting tough for the small hospitals to survive, partially because of the government reimbursement levels, and partly because of the increasing doctor shortage.
I've seen reports that the small hospitals are becoming clinics, and the staff is sent to a nearby hospital which bought them out. Further, some doctors are beginning to refuse to see Medicare or Medicaid patients (I forget which, maybe it's both) because of the low reimbursement rates and the extra paperwork.
And..........and because of that, people in dire need with an emergency may have to go 50 miles or further to seek medical attention
Now then, what if it's a life threatening situation? Unless the hospital can furnish an ambulance or a helicopter to transport the patient , the average person will just have to wing it and haul azz to the nearest facility, fingers crossed that they make it in time
Interesting you bring up government funding of small hospitals with medicare and medicaid. In Temecula California, one of the hospitals there received 80% of their income from the government medical programs. This made them susceptible to federal inspections and government arm twisting. Then they would receive fines for some minor offense of something like cleanliness killing the bottom line. Since I was a visitor on couple of occasions the place was great just overloaded with illegals. 2 Hour wait in emergency, remember according to law they can't refuse service to anyone for anything. The feds get you coming and going.