The Enormous Sums Spent On The Uninsured For Emergency Room Treatment and Avoidable Hospital Stays Do Not Improve Their Long Term Health Outlook

60. The uninsured often go to the emergency room for treatment when their health condition has become urgent. But, emergency room treatment is much more costly than treatment in regular medical practices and outpatient clinics. (NCHC)

61. The uninsured are 30% to 50% more likely than the insured to be hospitalized for an avoidable health condition. But, avoidable hospital stays by the uninsured costs the heath care system an enormous amount of money. (NCHC)

62. In 2001, hospitals provided about $34 billion worth of uncompensated health care for the uninsured. (NCHC)

63. Also, in 2001 another $37 billion was paid by public sector programs and private agencies/free-clinics for health care for the uninsured. (NCHC)

64. The total of these uncompensated health care costs for the uninsured was about $71 billion in 2001-and are very likely much higher today.

65. We pay for uninsured health care-such as it is--through higher insurance premiums, taxes, and charitable contributions.

66. Although large sums are spent on the uninsured, the uninsured are nevertheless without basic wellness and preventive health care-thus, 47 million Americans face a bleak future in maintaining their health.

67. Could the $71 Billion-plus-which society now spends on uninsured health care--be better spent on health insurance to keep them healthy and productive citizens in the long term?