NOT OK and actually illegal! Hospitals are, by law, to treat any and all emergent situations without question. Yes, the law specifically speaks of insurance and financial ability to pay, BUT, as a Respiratory Therapist, we never “screened” patients who walked into the ER and neither did the EMS! Everyone has the RIGHT to be treated regardless of circumstance! We ALL pay the taxes which pay the EMTs salary. Their job is to stabilize the patient and get them to the nearest hospital for treatment. Period.