[no dems]

Many Medicaid recipients use the ER for their family doctor because Medicaid pays for the ER but not office visits. Down in my part of Texas, one hospital put up a sign: “If your illness is not deemed an Emergency, you must pay a $50 charge before being seen by a physician.” That cleaned out the Emergency Room.

[dforest]

Yep, that will do it. People always overuse what they don’t have to pay for.

[ilovesarah2012]

What services and medical costs does Medicaid cover?
Medicaid will pay for the services listed below. Some people are required to pay copayments for starred(*) services.
COVERED SERVICES:
ç Doctor visits/services *
ç Hospital services (Limits apply) *
ç Lab and X-ray
ç Dental care (Limits apply) *
ç Eye care (Limits apply) *
ç Prescribed Drugs

http://www.nd.gov/dhs/info/pubs/docs/dn-555-medicaid-brochure-1003.pdf

[oh8eleven]

“If your illness is not deemed an Emergency, you must pay a $50 charge before being seen by a physician.” That cleaned out the Emergency Room.
There it is, and that's the policy that should be implemented nationwide.
I'm so sick of the gaming of the system by the "underrepresented" in this country I could .... whatever.