One of the other reasons is that an ER visit is often covered, whereas the deductible is so huge in the new “Obamacare” policies that even people paying $800 a month for their policy will go to the ER rather than to a regular doctor.
The real reason?.....people just keep doing what they are conditioned to do. Especially when it doesn’t cost them.
I have a cousin who is on Medicaid and her 16 or 17 year old daughter got pregnant. Cousin told me the other day that while daughter was pregnant they went to the ER 20 times because she ‘hurt’. Of course it didn’t cost them a dime.
Also, many of these people don't have a doctor. To many of them it is like a free clinic, you sign in and wait until a they have time to see you. I see Mexican women who have brought their children in for routine checkups or follow up visits.