Plus hospitals rely so much on government funding in the form of Medicare and Medicaid that they have to do whatever the state or federal government mandates.

It's unconscionable that patients in your county are stuck with one terrible hospital.

Imagine a hospital that accepted no Medicare, no Medicaid, only 'private' insurance? I put private in quotes because 'private' health insurance is also a cartel. A hospital that didn't rely on government reimbursements would actually break even or better and run more efficiently.

There is an excellent urgent care clinic in my neighborhood. They are not part of any insurance network. They accept cash and PPO insurance. No HMO and no Medicaid. The clinic has been in business since 1984 and patient satisfaction is high. I have never had a terrible experience there. Some of the Physician Assistants are reluctant to prescribe certain medications but that's a relatively minor problem.

No Medicaid and no HMO is the model for urgent care and hospitals.