[pgkdan]

I guess because a physician can refuse to see a patient at his private office but a hospital is required to treat any one who shows up in the ER. If they don’t accept Medicare and Medicaide they close up.

[Styria]

The ER isn’t required to do elective things, only to make sure people are stable enough to release. What if someone showed up in one claiming they need cosmetic surgery?

[PapaBear3625]

I guess because a physician can refuse to see a patient at his private office but a hospital is required to treat any one who shows up in the ER.

There's a place down the street which used to be a hospital. They shut down their ER and are now a "Care Facility". With no ER, they are no longer required to accept all comers.