Public Health Centers Struggle to Keep Up

She was given water pills that lowered her blood pressure, eased her pain, and potentially averted a heart attack or stroke. She pays $30 per doctor visit, a sliding-fee scale based on income. The pills cost $9 for a three-month supply. "It's a blessing," Moore said.

Comprehensive statistics about the US health safety net are hard to come by, and details vary by community. But it's clear that many of the medically needy go to hospital emergency rooms.