A hypothetical healthcare situation.

[onodera]

I don't really understand how American healthcare system works in emergencies, so could you please help me out?

Let's say I'm a 50-year old man who's riding the bus to the city center to buy something. I don't have a driver's license, so there's no ID of any sort on me. Suddenly I have a cardiac arrest. I am unconscious. What happens?
1. How can someone summon the medics? Do they call 911?
2. If the medics come, will they take me to the hospital?
3. I need an urgent and expensive multiple coronary bypass. Will I be operated on if my identity is unknown?
4. If I regain consciousness several days after the operation and say I'm a bicycle repairman who doesn't have any insurance, who will bear the costs?

[Ben Kenobi]

1. How can someone summon the medics? Do they call 911?

Yes, all they have to do is call 911

2. If the medics come, will they take me to the hospital?

Yes, the medics will pick you up.

3. I need an urgent and expensive multiple coronary bypass. Will I be operated on if my identity is unknown?

If you are pulled into the hospital? Yes they would treat you and fix you up.

4. If I regain consciousness several days after the operation and say I'm a bicycle repairman who doesn't have any insurance, who will bear the costs?

The government will eat the costs. This is all before Obamacare.

[Japher]

Is this before or after Obamacare?

[Ben Kenobi]

Yes, it's before Obamacare.

The main issues around Obamacare are for elective surgeries. You'll be paying more for coverage, and you won't be able to get timely treatment. You folks will have nurse and doctor shortages. The folks who have money will go overseas to places like India, just as they have been doing up here in Canada for years.

[Drake Tungsten]

As far as I know, the answers are...

1. Call 911.

2. Yes.

3. Yes.

4. The hospital passes the cost onto the rest of its patients via higher prices.

I think that's right, but Guy is welcome to point out any mistakes.

[Asher]

The government will eat the costs. This is all before Obamacare.

[action=Asher]sigh.[/action]

[Drake Tungsten]

Are you surprised that Ben was wrong about something?

[Hauldren Collider]

Government doesn't eat the costs, the hospital eats the cost and passes it on to its other customers. No one lying on the street bleeding will be denied emergency care, ever.

[Asher]

Are you surprised that Ben was wrong about something?

If what Ben said was true, no one would ever get insurance. It's just so ****ing retarded on its face...

[Drake Tungsten]

It's just so ****ing retarded on its face...

Par for the course, isn't it?

[Jon Miller]

Government doesn't eat the costs, the hospital eats the cost and passes it on to its other customers. No one lying on the street bleeding will be denied emergency care, ever.

On the other hand, people do wait hours to be seen.

JM

[Drake Tungsten]

On the other hand, people do wait hours to be seen.

So an emergency room visit without insurance in America is like every visit to the doctor in Canada?

[Asher]

On the other hand, people do wait hours to be seen.

JM

This happens everywhere, and will always happen. It's why you have triage.

[Asher]

So an emergency room visit without insurance in America is like every visit to the doctor in Canada?

[action=Asher]sigh.[/action]

[Drake Tungsten]

What is an "Asher sigh", anyway? Is it like a normal sigh, only 25% gayer and 75% nerdier?