[ReagansShinyHair]

They took him in, then called the cops on me for being "surly"

I'm assuming St. John's is a private hospital, too. I could believe this stuff coming from a county hospital in the heart of L.A., but we're talking affluent suburbs and private hospitals here. Unbelievable, but true.

[international american]

"I'm assuming St. John's is a private hospital, too."

Yes, part of a chain owned by CHW (Catholic Healthcare West)

[ReagansShinyHair]

Just to be absolutely clear, I have no problem with anyone, even illegals, getting emergency care in a true life-threatening situation. Even though I am paying for it, I can't be so cruel as to let someone die outright. They should be stabilized and given a ride across the border if that would be cheaper than continuing their care in the US.

It's the fact that illegals (not usually legal immigrants!) use the ER as primary care for things like the sniffles. They do so because they know it's free. The doctor can't just not see the person, so in order to get through the deluge of people, they start learning to take a minute to glance at anyone who's not spurting blood or unconscious, then pat them on the hand and dismiss them.