Peace,
Yes, you would have been treated. In the US, emergency rooms in hospitals that accept Medicaid funding (i.e., most hospitals) are required to post notices informing the public that they will receive emergency assessment and stabilization regardless of ability to pay. At least at our local hospitals in the mid-Ohio Valley, the staff bend over backwards to provide any treatment that could by any stretch of the imagination be called "emergent". This does not mean, of course, that the service is free, but it does mean that payment is not required in advance. If the patient is unable to pay afterward, the hospital will work out a payment plan, generally with generous terms, and often will write off all or part of the bill - provided that the patient is making some effort to pay.

McGrath of Harlow,
You would likely not be bankrupt as your 95-year-old father would certainly qualify for Medicare, possibly for Medicaid, perhaps for charity care and, depending on what sort of work he had done, possibly for other coverage as well. Coal miners, railroad workers, and civil servants, for example, often have excellent medical coverage. If he were a veteran, he would qualify for benefits through the Veterans Administration. That system is famously uneven in quality, but it can be excellent. My father-in-law is very satisfied with his care through a VA clinic near their home in SW Virginia.

Many of you may not be aware that WalMart, KMart, and Giant Eagle pharmacies have programs in place to provide a month's supply of a great many medications for $4. These programs include medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, edema, tachycardia, depression, anxiety, pain, etc. In addition, drug companies have programs to provide other drugs at reduced cost or even free to those who need them. There are private charities that provide help. Many physicians will give out "samples" of medications provided by drug companies. I have have many patients who had to take a drug twice daily instead of a more expensive once-daily extended release form, many who had to take two separate drugs instead of a more-expensive combination pill, many who had to take a "good enough" drug instead of the best drug on the market but, so far, I have NEVER had a patient who simply could get needed medication.

None of the above is intended to deny that our system has its problems. I do believe, however, in giving credit where credit is due.

Kent Davis, D.O.