CMS investigating ‘patient dumping’ at U of Maryland hospital

A viral video showing a confused patient wearing only a hospital gown being left at a bus stop outside the University of Maryland Medical Center has prompted a CMS investigation into whether the facility violated any federal regulations.

According to NPR, CMS initiated the probe after seeing the media coverage of the incident. While it didn’t cite a specific regulation or law which may be violated, one possibility is the hospital went against the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which could result in it losing Medicare or Medicaid status.

"If you get the federal government involved and they're looking into your actions and nonactions, it's a big deal, practically and symbolically," said Frankie Berger, the director of advocacy at the Treatment Advocacy Center.

While the hospital has apologized for how the patient, later identified as Rebecca, was treated, her family has said it's exploring legal action over the incident. Her mother, Cheryl Chandler, said her daughter is mentally ill, but is not homeless and has health insurance.

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