Ethical Issues: The Uninsured

Abstract

There is ongoing debate as to the importance of the “problem of the uninsured” in this country and in Missouri. This institution, as an academic state hospital, seems to get more than its share of uninsured patients who come form all regions of the state, many in desperation and from long distances because doors to health care closed to them at home. Yet, they still need health care and our mission is to provide that care to anyone who needs it, regardless of the economic burden. The perception of “self pay” patients is that they are not working, are of an ethnic minority, and middle aged. In Missouri this perception is only partially correct.