-=> On 01-01-98  17:52, John Boone did testify and affirm <=-
-=> to Justin Baustert concerning Re: 1/2] Smoking Costs <=-
 JB> Sorry Mark, you've got it wrong.. When the hospital
 JB> increases rates to cover their costs for the folks that
 JB> can't pay, you aren't looking at socialism.. 
 JB> Hmmm, there is a government law, COBRA, requiring hospitals
 JB> to care for -ALL- foiks regardless of ability to pay,
 JB> particularly those that can't pay.  IOW, the federal
 JB> government is dictating to the hospitals -who- they, the
 JB> hospitals, -can't- accept, hardly consistent with free
 JB> market ideals, the business being free to engage or -not-
 JB> to engage in business. 
Let us not forget the fact the any hospital which sees
Medicare patients *cannot* turn away any patient without
first examining and evaluating them. 
... If Bill Clinton is the answer, then it must be a very stupid question.
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