Only about fifty percent of those who do show up at ER for care pay the bill, though, evidently. The difference in cost, and the amount paid by the patient is offset by the hospital collecting more than cost from privately insured patients.

I realise I am making assumptions here, DougR, but I presume you are not really in favour of "the hospital collecting more than cost from privately insured patients". How would you like that changed? OR do you see it as just something that has to be lived with?