Emergency treatment fund

No one would agree that a hospital should deny a patient emergency treatment simply because he or she cannot pay the bill. But such things happen frequently. If only a hospital did not have to worry about whether the patient can pay the bill or not.

This is what a fund for emergency treatment would be able to do. A research report has been submitted to the Office for Medical Reform under the State Council. The report suggests that such a fund be established by the government to pay the bills of those too poor to pay for emergency treatment. The report is said to have put forward suggestions on how some hospitals should be designated to provide such treatment and how part of the money can be paid in advance to guarantee that those who need such services can be timely treated.

It is easy to point fingers at hospitals when they deny a patient emergency treatment because of the patient's inability to pay. A hospital has the moral obligation to treat patients at any time and under whatever conditions.

However, the hospital operator has to consider its financial capability to frequently provide such a service free of charge. Besides, an increasing number of patients may seek treatment if a hospital is known to provide free emergency treatment.

So such a fund is undoubtedly long overdue. With such a fund, a hospital will not have to worry whether a patient can pay for the treatment or not. Such a fund means all that need emergency treatment will hopefully receive it in a timely manner.

It is said that most of the money for the fund will come from the State and social organizations will be encouraged to donate.

The use of the fund should be carefully designed. It must guarantee that all that need financial aid to pay for their emergency treatment can get it, but tight supervision must be exercised over its use to prevent the money from being abused.

The financial situation of those who receive financial aid from this fund should be transparent so that it is used only for the truly needy. Transparency will also help keep the money from being misappropriated by hospitals.