Well, time was before the EMTALA became law in 1986, things were a bit better, EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act) basically dictated that any time someone shows up to an emergency room, you have to "treat" or "Stabilize" a patient.

It had the ostensible rational of intending to prevent Medicare-participating hospitals with dedicated emergency departments from refusing to treat people based on their insurance status or ability to pay.

Great social program with a great idea, and lots of unintended consequences.

IT used to be, (back in the 50's and early 60's) that people could actually pay their Emergency room bill. Then, when Medicare came about in the mid 60's and was improved upon over the years, things got worse. Hospital costs shot up, reimbursements went down and hospitals responded.

In 1986 the EMTALA law was passed that required ER's to treat anyone that showed up, irregardless to pay. (I am not going to address the moral aspects of the practice.)

The short version, today, many hospitals will not even put stitches in a serious cut. They will refer you to "your regular physician," after having cleaned and dressing the wound.

The process of using the ER for treatment has succumbed to the law of unintended consequences, and now, unless you have insurance, you get what amounts to first aid and a few antibiotics. . .