Increasing number of uninsured people in the United States. A. Overcrowding is a significant national problem, contributing to long waits in emergency departments. It also is a symptom of a failing health care system. Solutions may be complex and expensive, but they are essential to making sure the public can continue to rely on emergency departments for quality and timely emergency care. Treating the causes of overcrowding must become a national priority in order to guarantee emergency medical care for all.
Many people lack access to any sources of regular medical care.
This is especially true for the poor and uninsured. Hospitals may lack sufficient resources to provide appropriate care to patients requiring emergency hospitalization. When a hospital has no room to admit patients, seriously ill or injured patients must remain in the emergency department until a bed becomes available. When emergency physicians and nurses must care for critical patients for extended periods of time, it requires dedicated resources and time, which means other patients must wait longer. Hospitals are closing, merging, and consolidating at record rates nationwide.