ONE-THIRD OF PEOPLE DIRECTED AWAY FROM U OF C ARE POOR AND UNINSURED
As a medical malpractice attorney in Chicago, I have previously discussed the University of Chicago's Urban Health Initiative. Data (from an 8 month period analyzing 396 patients) provided from the U. of C. to the Chicago Tribune showed that one in three of the patients being redirected from the U. of C. emergency room to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center are poor and uninsured.
Nearly 7 percent of the patients have no health insurance coverage. 25 percent of patients transported by ambulance 5 miles north to Mercy were covered by the Medicaid health insurance program for the poor, which is known for paying hospitals low rates, particularly in Illinois.
During the same eight-month period tracked, 31.3 percent of the patients admitted to U. of C. from its emergency room were covered either by Medicaid or were uninsured.
U. of C. is the state's largest private provider for patients covered by Medicaid and also serves a large number of people with no health coverage.
I understand the need to educate people who do not have true medical emergencies that they should be treated at appropriate facilities, but I remain concerned that individuals who need immediate treatment may get turned away under the U. of C.'s program.
