[cosine]

I suppose that none of these hospitals were getting disproportionate share payments, the payments that the feds give states to dole out to hospitals treating indigents so that they don't lose money under the law requiring that they treat people at ER doors??

[tahiti]

"...the payments that the feds give states to dole out to hospitals treating indigents so that they don't lose money under the law requiring that they treat people at ER doors??"

Amendment V

nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

The Constitution requires our federal government to compensate hospitals if there is a law requiring the hospitals to treat anyone, regardless of ability to pay.

The good news is that in this rare case the Constitution is being respected.

The bad news is we citizens are stupid for electing legislator's who have enacted such irresponsible public policy laws.

[Mamzelle]

re: I suppose that none of these hospitals were getting disproportionate share payments, the payments that the feds give states to dole out to hospitals treating indigents so that they don't lose money under the law requiring that they treat people at ER doors?? )))

If you're talking about what Bush budgeted for uncompensated care for illegal aliens in the Medicare bill--that amounted to one billion dollars. LA County alone spends that much, in one year, for uncompensated emergency care for illegal aliens.

A billion is just a drop in the bucket when you start adding up the hospitals. It might cover three cities in the US.