Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

Unfortunately this is an issue you'll have to take up with your state legislators. It is not illegal.

I think this is one of the reasons that we need universal health insurance coverage so that people don't have to make the decision on whether basic medical care is "affordable".

Do you think you should be forced to make the decision on whether you can afford to get your finger treated or simply hope that it doesn't get infected causing significantly greater problems?

Of course, with private health insurance you are also paying to make sure that the executives of the insurance companies get paid nice, hefty, multi-million dollar salaries. And, if a for-profit health insurer, as most are, then they also make sure to deny enough claims so that they can make lots of profits to pay their shareholders.

Why is it that anyone should be making a profit simply by acting as a banker handling money from individuals for insurance premiums to medical facilities and doctors. The insurance company is NOT providing any medical CARE, yet they are reaping the largest financial rewards.

Keep this in mind when you next go to the ballot box.

Thanks for the platform for this little rant.

Caleb is right on the mark. But another consideration is that no one knows how much medical attention you will actually need when you first walk in the door. It may seem that a cut finger is simple, but until the doctor sees how deep it is, where it is cut, how much blood has been lost, how dirty the wound is, etc., the ER cannot put a price on the treatment. And the more serious the injury the less forseeable the efforts that will be necessary.