Impeding changes to our Health Care system

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by richlevy

I wish we could have carded the people in that stadium. I'll bet most were US citizens or legal residents. You don't have to be an illegal immigrant to be poor and uninsured or under-insured in this country.

No you don't, but that in no way negates my statement that half of LA is third world.
There is also the allure of something free, that brings people out of the woodwork.
I'd bet that most of the problems they treated were not serious enough to compel the patient to make the effort to go to the ER or find a clinic.
Put together free, definite time/place, and some condition people keep saying, "I ought to get that checked out" but don't bother, and you have the perfect storm.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

...
I'd bet that most of the problems they treated were not serious enough to compel the patient to make the effort to go to the ER...

Good. ER is the most expensive care there is. Just getting people who use the ER as their primary care physician to go to a real PCP would save loads of money.