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.