My daughter loves to photograph. She stepped a little too far off a step, and fell down the rock stairs at a historical site there. Fortunately, it didn't look serious, but we decided a trip to the nearest ER was prudent when she begin complaining about severe arm pain the the right arm which absorbed the fall.
Silly me. I thought this was what ERs were for. Instead, we waited in line, filled out papers, showed our insurance card and had to come up with the $100 co-pay before she could even get in.
Meanwhile, a couple of patients of questionable legal status with sniffles type ailments were ushered right in with none of this rigamarole.
No speak English? No problem. We have Spanish interpreters. No papers? No money? No problem. We'll take care of that too! Don't be distracted by that girl sitting in the corner who has already been here half an hour writhing in pain. She's a second-class citizen.
You could demand treatment under federal law even without the copayment (you promise to pay it later when billed). They are not supposed to make you pay upfront just to be treated.
Several years ago I took my wife to the emergency room here and had a similar experience. She sat in a chair doubled over in pain while very questionable looking people waltzed in and got immediate attention. Finally I had had enough and I walked back to the desk. I stand six four without shoes and weigh 250 plus whatever clothes I may be wearing. I made sure I did not smile, I let my face show exactly how I felt as I let the people know what I had observed. My wife was seen within five minutes and I noticed a number of nervous glances in my direction. When we got the bill we called the hospital administration and told them exactly how we felt about the whole thing and they dropped the entire emergency room charge.