Forbes September 9, 2024
As an emergency room doctor, I’ve treated dozens, if not hundreds, of John Does. I’ve also treated several Elvis Presleys. As a health policy researcher, I’ve also heard of patients who fear giving the ER their real name because of the medical bills.
In the United States, 4 in 10 Americans face medical debt, the average emergency room visit costs $2,453 ($646 out-of-pocket with private health insurance), and more than one-third of Americans can’t afford a $400 medical expense without borrowing. The Emergency Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law that requires all hospitals that accept Medicare funds (which is almost 100% of U.S. hospitals) to medically stabilize all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. EMTALA ensures...
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