I like this proposition, but the article didn't mention health services in the area. I'm European and I don't fully understand the US health sector but I want to know what would happen in case of severe illness, living this way.
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The hospital will have to take you in if you need emergency treatment, provided you make it that far, however they only guarantee the minimum treatment to "stabilize" you, and at that point they are going to expect either an insurance policy be given to them, or your agreement to take on additional medical debt beyond what you already incurred to receive additional treatment. Like if you have a heart attack, they will take you in, give you some nitroglycerin, and try to get it so that they aren't worried about you keeling over within the next 2 hours, but if your heart is still in a lower level of afib and you can't afford treatment? They will give you the boot and tell you to go see a doctor but it ain't an absolute emergency any more.
Or say you crash your car and your leg is crushed. They will stabilize you, but then you or someone else will have to make a financial decision for you or give your insurance. Will you be able to afford the costs of multiple surgeries to pin your shattered leg bones back together and all the rehabilitation? Sure they can do that. Can you already not afford the costs you incurred and certainly can't afford all the additional surgeries and rehabilitation later? Well they will "save" you from all those costs you can't afford by chopping off your leg, knowing that without those other surgeries they will end up cutting it off 6 months later anyway.
Massena Hospital is a 25-bed hospital. Might have to go to Canton or Ogdensburg for a family doctor (45 minutes by car). Most things serious get referred to Syracuse or Burlington (3 hours away by car).
AFAIK, Cost[1] is "theoretically" nothing if annual income is less than the federal poverty line ($15,650 for an individuality). And might as well be free for an income up to $39,125.