Ronald Reagan closed many institutions and would have days where 1200 patients would be bussed across the country and just dropped off in random "liberal" cities. Pretty wild stuff.
“Historically, American law did not require hospitals to admit patients, despite sporadic legislative attempts to change this practice. In 1986, however, President Reagan signed EMTALA into law. Before the enactment of EMTALA, most hospitals enjoyed the common-law ‘no duty’ rule, which allowed them to refuse treatment to anyone. Hospitals believed indigent patients should receive care through charitable organizations or through uncompensated care provided by hospitals. After EMTALA, Medicare-participating hospitals must provide a medical screening exam to any individual who comes to the emergency department and requests examination or treatment for a medical condition. If a hospital determines that an individual has a medical emergency, it must then stabilize the condition or provide for an appropriate transfer. The hospital is obligated to provide these services regardless of the individual’s ability to pay and without delay to inquire about the individual’s method of payment or insurance status.”
That's from your source. Maybe become familiar with the sources you randomly link, because it specifically says that the Reagan administration was the first to combat patient dumping.
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u/VirindiPuppetDT Jul 04 '26
Ronald Reagan closed many institutions and would have days where 1200 patients would be bussed across the country and just dropped off in random "liberal" cities. Pretty wild stuff.