[Conscience of a Conservative]

Why should hospital bills be any different from other bills? People don’t go to jail if they can’t (or don’t) pay their bills.

[Alberta's Child]

True. But at the same time, I can't think of any other privately-run establishment where the owner/operator is required to provide products or services to their "customers" even if they know up front that the customers can't pay the bill.

Without something as harsh as the threat of jail time, you're giving hospitals no other choice but to: (1) require uninsured patients to pay cash or post a bond up front, or (2) close down.

[Argus]

If you skip out on a hotel bill, it’s a criminal violation “defrauding an innkeeper.” Why should ER scofflaws get off easier?