patrick.net

Keep talking mitt, keep talking.

If a 5 year old in an uninsured family has a simple cold, the mother would be forced to go to the emergency room that will end up costing the taxpayer $5,000. Isn't it cheaper to just let her go for a doctor's visit that will cost $200.00?
This just increases the deficit, not reduce it.

Raw says

If a 5 year old in an uninsured family has a simple cold, the mother would be forced to go to the emergency room....

There is no cure for the common cold, and going to the emergency room is the stupidest thing the mother could do. (BTW, why do you assume the mother would be "forced," and what about the father?) Going to a doctor would also be an expensive waste of time. Much better to stay home and have some hot soup.

curious2 says

Raw says

If a 5 year old in an uninsured family has a simple cold, the mother would be forced to go to the emergency room....

There is no cure for the common cold, and going to the emergency room is the stupidest thing the mother could do. (BTW, why do you assume the mother would be "forced," and what about the father?) Going to a doctor would also be an expensive waste of time. Much better to stay home and have some hot soup.

Very true, and you can charge $5000 for this diagnoses in an Emergency room, or $200 in a doctors office when the mother brings her kid in anyway.