One other thing David...Do you know how HMO's work. They have capitated contracts with providers where they pay a specific amount to the providers each month for ANY and ALL services regardless of the cost. For example some of the major laboratories get about 0.25 cents per patient per day for all laboratory services performed.

Which means in Krunks case if he had an HMO the insurance would pay the hospital NOTHING for his stay. It would fall under the cap rate.