Why is there a hospital shortage?

I've been very sick and need to be admitted to a hospital. Checked into ER yesterday about3:00PM. It is now 23 hours later. I am in pain, on a gurney (I am 73 years old with arthritis) and been having a series of severe panic attacks. I am in a room waiting to be admitted. There are DOZENS of people in the hall on gurneys also waiting.

I've been told by doctors, nurses and a janitor that this is happening because there is a severe hospital shortage.

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MikeSp · 56-60, M

Not so much a shortage of hospitals, but of beds. Increasingly, ERs are being overloaded by the uninsured who cannot afford to go to a doctor's office or clinic. A portion of them are admitted bc they are really sick or the hospital wants to lower their liability. Hospitals that are chock full are put on bypass, meaning ambulances go to another hospital, and maybe not one you want.
I hope you feel better soon.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@MikeSp Thank you. I am at Kaiser; I got health insurance when I retired. Are you saying that the uninsured also wind up at Kaiser even without having Kaiser insurance?

MikeSp · 56-60, M

Every state has different laws regulating hospitals, but generally, they cannot refuse to treat someone coming into the ER. Federal laws and rules govern anyway.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@MikeSp Interesting. Thanks. I am very depressed. I live alone in one room, no one to help me. I need to be here.

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