Sadly, as the economy worsens and more people are losing their jobs and insurance, more people are seeking care in emergency rooms. This has led to an increase in crowding, a decrease in the quality of care, and a large increase in the number of unpaid services. As the number of unpaid services rises, as a result of people being unable or unwilling to pay their bill, or their insurance denying the claim, ERs are suffering at their bottom line. The government will reimburse hospitals to a certain degree for these charity cases, as no one may be turned away from care based on inability to pay. However, that repayment only goes so far, and hospitals are being overwhelmed by would-be charity cases. How bad will the situation get and how many hospitals will be forced to close before things get better? Or will they get better?