An elderly woman lives with her son who is unemployed. She receives social security income. She is unable to afford health care for the son. She has been told, if the son gets sick, he will be cared for, due to the enactment of the Emergency Medical Treatment and active labor act. Passed by president Reagan.
But in the event the hospital would sue the son (Who doesn’t have any assess) or would they go after his grandmother for the hospital bill?

How old is the son?

36 years old

Why is he unemployed ? Is he disabled in some way that makes him dependent on her for his lifelihood ? What do you mean, he doesn't have any assess ? If he has a social insurance number and is old enough surely, the hospital would go after him for the bill, but then, if he cant pay it, she would have to.

More information would be helpful, pastor.

Oh I see. They would go after his grandmother for the son's hospital bill.
Hospital probably will attach her Social Security check. Thank You

Oh I see. They would go after his grandmother for the son's hospital bill.
Hospital probably will attach her Social Security check. Thank You
NO that is not what I meant, pastor. They cannot take her social security. I should have worded that differently. They will see that he is old enough to take care of himself, on paper, not physically, and he has his own social security no.

The Grandmother is in no way liable for the grandson's medical bills, unless she signs for him, when he goes into the hospital.

If he is poor, why does the grandson not have medicaid, even if he is working on limited income he can get medicaid.

If they are both poor ** and in the US, there is many types of welfare they should be getting.

Unless he is dependent on her or she files taxes with him as a dependent, she is not liable. I assume Pastor meant "assets".

Thanks. He is not eligible for Medicaid in Florida under current guidelines. Florida is one of the states that didn't expand Medicaid.

To reiterate, NO parent or relative or anyone is responsible for the bills of an adult, unless they are married to each other.
And you are right about Florida, which many people in other states don't realize.
Only minors in FL can get Medicaid.

So if he loses any coverage under any act, and the hospital sues him, he can lose FUTURE assets, including a fraction of any program like Social Security.
It is always best to go to the hospital financial office and fill out forms stating his situation. There are various ways to deal with medical bills. First they will make huge deductions (since their charges are totally ridiculous to begin with, and they know it), and there are programs ongoing for decades like Pell Grants.

Thanks so much. Let hope his health continues to be good.
He is like a caretaker for his grandmother. He is one of many without health care in Florida. The universal access is not insurance. I remember
About it from 1980’s. President Reagan passed it.

I think you mean THIS.

Reagan’s healthcare mandate - Salon.com (http://www.salon.com/2012/07/05/reagans_healthcare_mandate/)


In 1986, Congress passed (http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EMTALA/index.html?redirect=/emtala/) the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which contained the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. The law requires hospitals to treat patients in need of emergency care regardless of their ability to pay, citizenship or even legal status. It applies to any hospital that takes Medicare funds, which is virtually every hospital in the country.

(The highlight is mine-T)

Correct

I wonder if the hospital will sue anyone? Son doesn't have anything

Suing and collecting are two different things. I doubt they sue grandma, but the son would be liable. Then how can they collect after judgement is granted? They will freeze any bank account, now or later, and garnish any earnings now or later.

Does he receive unemployment? Does he qualify for Medicaid? Has he applied?

Suing and collecting are two different things. I doubt they sue grandma, but the son would be liable. Then how can they collect after judgement is granted? They will freeze any bank account, now or later, and garnish any earnings now or later.


They don't go away because you can't pay.

They absolutely CANNOT sue grandma!
In all cases, it is best for those who cannot pay to go into the financial office and tell them exactly what they get for income and from whom.
That way they can write it off, apply for Pell funds, or ask for $5 a month for life. Try not to worry!