Final answer:
Hospitals are required by law to provide emergency care to uninsured patients, making the statement false. However, the associated costs can strain hospital finances and affect insured patients financially.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that hospitals cannot afford to provide care to uninsured patients is false. U.S. law requires hospitals to provide emergency care to anyone, regardless of insurance status. However, this care is not without consequences. Hospitals receive partial reimbursement from the government for the cost of this emergency care, but the remaining costs are often covered by charities, or indirectly passed on to insured patients through higher medical bills. Unfortunately, hospitals serving a high number of indigent patients may face financial strain, leading to potential business closure. Moreover, the rising healthcare costs in the U.S. and the high usage of emergency rooms by uninsured individuals have contributed significantly to overall healthcare expenses.