Final answer:
b) FalsemThe statement that patients cannot be prioritized based on insurance or ability to pay is false. Hospitals must provide emergeny care regardless of financial status but outside of that, financial resources do influence access to medical services.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients cannot be prioritized based on their insurance or their ability to pay. The statement is false. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), hospitals with emergency departments are required to provide stabilizing treatment for patients with emergency medical conditions regardless of the patient's ability to pay. However, outside of emergency care, patients with better insurance or means to pay can often access more healthcare options and may receive different levels of service due to economic realities.
For example, access to medical facilities can be limited for those without health insurance, affecting their ability to receive timely and preventative care.