The uninsured and patient dumping: recent policy responses in indigent care.
This article discusses the uninsured population and the phenomenon known as "patient dumping"--the transfer of a patient from one hospital (typically a private hospital) to a public hospital because of the patient's lack of insurance or inability to pay. The uninsured are the most vulnerable to patient dumping. The growth of patient dumping, a profile of the uninsured who are most likely to be a minority, and an analysis of federal and state policy responses to patient dumping are all discussed. The need for reform of the American health care system is highlighted and the Canadian health system is suggested as an alternative model.
Rice
M F
MF
Public Administration Institute, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803.
Jones
W
W
D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D035082:Federal Government; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid; D008489:Medical Indigency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006278:Medicare; D018579:Patient Selection; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011050:Policy Making; D011203:Poverty; D044469:Racial Groups; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States