Comments on: Unintended consequences of EMTALA http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html medical blog Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:35:28 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html/comment-page-1#comment-85566 Anonymous Tue, 13 May 2008 04:01:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html#comment-85566 The good of Emtala: I had a cousin die who would probably be alive today if emtala had been in place. He had insurance but didn't have an insurance card on him when brought to an er after a mva. Failing the wallet biopsy he was transfered with a ruptured spleen and intracranial bleed to another er.<br/><br/>The bad: There is an entire class of psychiatric patients now who have highly dysfunctional relationships with hospitals and consume tremendous resources who we used to treat quite effectively by denying them inpatient care. Yes, denial of care is the treatment for some people who abuse the system, but no one is willing to try to explain that to the emtala enforcers. The good of Emtala: I had a cousin die who would probably be alive today if emtala had been in place. He had insurance but didn’t have an insurance card on him when brought to an er after a mva. Failing the wallet biopsy he was transfered with a ruptured spleen and intracranial bleed to another er.

The bad: There is an entire class of psychiatric patients now who have highly dysfunctional relationships with hospitals and consume tremendous resources who we used to treat quite effectively by denying them inpatient care. Yes, denial of care is the treatment for some people who abuse the system, but no one is willing to try to explain that to the emtala enforcers.

]]> By: dave http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html/comment-page-1#comment-85519 dave Fri, 09 May 2008 23:14:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html#comment-85519 I have an article somewhere on my desk that says when a hospital asks for payment in advance it is creating a barrier to care and that violates EMTALA. I have an article somewhere on my desk that says when a hospital asks for payment in advance it is creating a barrier to care and that violates EMTALA.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html/comment-page-1#comment-85516 Anonymous Fri, 09 May 2008 19:27:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html#comment-85516 A nuclear attack would have done less damage to the US trauma system than EMTALA.<br/><br/>Ed Sodaro MD A nuclear attack would have done less damage to the US trauma system than EMTALA.

Ed Sodaro MD

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html/comment-page-1#comment-85513 Anonymous Fri, 09 May 2008 15:38:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html#comment-85513 Women get the vote.<br/><br/>Men land on the moon.<br/><br/>Spell checkers invented.<br/><br/>What do these things have in common? Women get the vote.

Men land on the moon.

Spell checkers invented.

What do these things have in common?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html/comment-page-1#comment-85512 Anonymous Fri, 09 May 2008 15:21:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/05/unintended-consequences-of-emtala.html#comment-85512 EMTALA, I agree that this law is one of the laws enacted by short sighted politician, often ex lawyers who cannot find an honnest job, to legislate to cure a symptoms but not the ailment of our health care.<br/>The anti dumping law at first priori makes sense but its emplementation is desastrous and does do not help the poor indigent population. <br/>The result of course: More regulation, potential legal actions, and again less moneys for healthcare. <br/>Another great way the NY governor found to save health care money: Close hospitals! makes a lot of sence.....!<br/>Getting rid of doctors, nurses, and closing hospitals (but not lawyers) is another great saving $ idea! EMTALA, I agree that this law is one of the laws enacted by short sighted politician, often ex lawyers who cannot find an honnest job, to legislate to cure a symptoms but not the ailment of our health care.
The anti dumping law at first priori makes sense but its emplementation is desastrous and does do not help the poor indigent population.
The result of course: More regulation, potential legal actions, and again less moneys for healthcare.
Another great way the NY governor found to save health care money: Close hospitals! makes a lot of sence…..!
Getting rid of doctors, nurses, and closing hospitals (but not lawyers) is another great saving $ idea!

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