A friend of mine has had to be admitted through the ER even though he had been released after a heart procedure just the day prior, and the complication he had was almost expected. Part of it is structural, in that to be readmitted you HAVE to go through the ER first. Also, that he was released then readmitted means he pays more money. Had that happened in a single payer system, it would have been considered a mistake by the hospital.
Also, am I supposed to see it as a bad thing that people who had diseases/conditions "out of control" (from the article) are now getting treatment, causing this surge? Should they just not get treatment at all?
