Also improves Medicare and expands coverage and quality of care (House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor 2010). Former cuts had actually increased the numbers of ER visits annually around the country, thus costing hospitals dearly in annual operation costs (Cunningham 2006)
The recent reform bill expands healthcare coverage to many of those inappropriately using the ER now -- therefore this population can be eliminated, but only if staff can help inform such individuals regarding their rights and where they can find more appropriate care. Also improves Medicare and expands coverage and quality of care (House Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor 2010)
Most of these individuals are in desperate need of emergency care, and so prove a highly vulnerable patient population. Additionally, there is a large low-income population (Thompson & Glick 1999)