Dr. Stennes asked. Frew said HMOs also need to pay their share. Passage of patients' bill of rights legislation forcing insurers to pay for the care their patients receive in EDs would be a big improvement, he said. Another suggestion from doctors and health attorneys is to introduce uniformity and consistency to HCFA's interpretations of the law. The government and medicine recognize the need for change.
Doctors say the sooner changes are implemented, the better.
Now is the time to fix it. Back to top. A patient diagnosed with pneumonia and possible pulmonary embolism spent several hours waiting in the emergency department for her primary care physician to admit her to the hospital. She died in intensive care the next day. An emergency medical technician radioed the closest hospital with a heart attack victim's vital signs.