.. I heard the story on the radio this morning and the details were that she was seen by a nurse who took her vitals and put her in the que to see a doctor. Both she and the hospital ageed the time spent was aprox. 4 minutes for the vitals to be taken. The complaint was that 1) she was charged at a rate of $40 per MINUTE for basic services a non-professinal could have performed 2) the 19 hours spent waiting was excessive.

I agree with Jim in that too often the ER is the "Free Clinic" for everyone and their dog and we pay for it in higher costs. There are flaws in the system on both sides but the real abuse comes from the public not the medical professionals (Unless you are a personal injury lawyer, then all doctors and drug companies are evil.... hehehe)

So, I have to side with the lady on this one. (She should pay something but not $160.00 & if the ER was so overloaded she should have been told so she could choose to wait or leave before 19 hours had elapsed)