No one would agree that a hospital should deny a patient emergency treatment simply because he or she cannot pay the bill. But such things happen frequently. If only a hospital did not have to worry about whether the patient can pay the bill or not.

This is what a fund for emergency treatment would be able to do. A research report has been submitted to the Office for Medical Reform under the State Council. The report suggests that such a fund be established by the government to pay the bills of those too poor to pay for emergency treatment. The report is said to have put forward suggestions on how some hospitals should be designated to provide such treatment and how part of the money can be paid in advance to guarantee that those who need such services can be timely treated.

It is easy to point fingers at hospitals when they deny a patient emergency treatment because of the patient's inability to pay. A hospital has the moral obligation to treat patients at any time and under whatever conditions.