Poor, uninsured adults and children in hospital emergency rooms are dependent upon competent medical staff. Transfer from a private emergency room to a crowded public hospital emergency room delays treatment and causes added pain, suffering, and stress. The problem of patient “dumping” is becoming worse as the government attempts to contain costs and hospitals lose money due to uncompensated emergency care. The authors review the extent of patient “dumping.” Implications for legislators and practitioners are presented.
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