[Moses]

I am on call at the hospital today. No pay, we just take turns in case there are emergencies.

It's a beautiful day. 80 degrees and I was hoping to go for a ride on my motorcycle or go swimming with my daughter. But wait.... The phone rings. It's the emergency room.

Leticia is 24 years old and pregnant. Despite the fact that she is an "undocumented" immigrant to our fair state, she has comprehensive health insurance through MediCal. She has received very good prenatal care at the county facility. She is supposed to deliver her baby there. But Leticia has a different idea...

The posh suburban hospital where I work is just a little nicer that the county hospital, so when Leticia's labor begins, she call 911 and gets a ride to our hospital. She knows we cannot refuse her. And despite the fact that she is in very early labor, she refuses to be transferred to the county hospital. She likes us! I reviewed her records and this is the 4th time she has used a 911 ambulance to come visit us.

So I'm spending all day and likely into the wee hours at the hospital with Leticia. For free. I am not a registered MediCaid doctor, so I will not be paid. And it is against the law for me to bill the patient directly. She is now resting comfortably thanks to her free epidural and the view from her free private hospital room is glorious!

I love charity and I give away a fair amount of my time. But this feels different. Like the difference between handing the homeless guy a few dollars and having him pick your pocket. There is no joy in this. And the kicker? If anything goes wrong, and I mean ANYTHING, suing me is like hitting the Lotto.