Really poor people simply go to the doctor because they know the doctor has to treat them and they know no one will come after them since they have nothing.
Unless you are going to the ER, your doctor isn't obligated to treat you...
And if the ER thinks you're a deadbeat, they will give you the minimal treatment necessary to make sure that you won't die on the hospital grounds - and discharge you.
I know someone who continued to take her kid to the doctor every day until they finally gave in and diagnosed her kid with something and now she gets help.
