Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is taking heat for comments in which he suggested those who lack insurance can find their care in a hospital emergency department.
On Sunday's interview with 60 Minutes, Mr. Romney suggested that uninsured Americans have a form of health coverage — emergency care. "If someone has a heart attack, they don't sit in their apartment and die. We pick them up in an ambulance and take them to the hospital and give them care," he said.
However, the American College of Emergency Physicians took Mr. Romney to task on his statements. ACEP President David Seaberg, MD, said Mr. Romney's comments were misguided because actual "emergency care is not health insurance." Real health coverage, he said, comes in the form of primary care physicians and other medical professionals — not last-minute, urgent treatment.
"If you continue to take emergency care for granted and don't support it, it eventually won't be there for anyone," Dr. Seaberg added.
ACEP also said Scott Pelley, reporter on 60 Minutes who interviewed Mr. Romney, perpetuated the myth that emergency care is a major portion of healthcare costs. Dr. Seaberg said emergency care only represents roughly 2 percent of U.S. healthcare expenditures, "and the reality is, most people seeking emergency care are having medical emergencies."
On Sunday's interview with 60 Minutes, Mr. Romney suggested that uninsured Americans have a form of health coverage — emergency care. "If someone has a heart attack, they don't sit in their apartment and die. We pick them up in an ambulance and take them to the hospital and give them care," he said.
However, the American College of Emergency Physicians took Mr. Romney to task on his statements. ACEP President David Seaberg, MD, said Mr. Romney's comments were misguided because actual "emergency care is not health insurance." Real health coverage, he said, comes in the form of primary care physicians and other medical professionals — not last-minute, urgent treatment.
"If you continue to take emergency care for granted and don't support it, it eventually won't be there for anyone," Dr. Seaberg added.
ACEP also said Scott Pelley, reporter on 60 Minutes who interviewed Mr. Romney, perpetuated the myth that emergency care is a major portion of healthcare costs. Dr. Seaberg said emergency care only represents roughly 2 percent of U.S. healthcare expenditures, "and the reality is, most people seeking emergency care are having medical emergencies."
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