Topic: class discussion

Order Description In your reading this week there is an overview of the EMTALA law which prevents hospital emergency departments from refusing to see patients in emergency situations. Previously, one of the reasons for a hospital's refusal was due to a patient's lack of insurance coverage. Because of the severe penalties associated with an EMTALA violation, hospitals are reluctant to turn away non-emergency patients. This unfortunately results in long ER wait times as well as high cost emergency room care for medical conditions that, in many cases, can be treated in a physician's office. Does the EMTALA law serve a valid purpose or has it created an unnecessary regulatory burden for hospitals?