Cashman, thank you for your thoughts. I am actually going to plead with her to go to emergency. I hope that works. She did go to the Social Services office of the hospital and they were unwilling to work with her. She simply cannot afford health care as she lives from paycheck to paycheck, as so many Americans do nowadays. (Makes me count my blessings for sure.)

As far as Regional Medical Centers... that's a no go. They want your credit card up front. I know this because I took her into one one day (for something else) when I was still living in Chicago and I gave them mine for her. They weren't going to see her.

You said to remember that all Americans get free health care if they have no money and no insurance. I'm curious as to how you think that works? I'm not being sarcastic, I am genuinely curious. I think that we, the more fortunate, sometimes believe we know how it works. But that the reality of it is quite different. As previously stated, she does have a job. But, paycheck to paycheck means choosing between -- do I start with the doctor's visit, mammogram, biopsy $$$ -- or risk not paying my rent???

Yes, I think the reality is very different than perceived by some.

I just keep thinking.... "There, but for the grace of God, go I...