Need quick medical/legal advice. [View all]

[Smarmie Doofus]

Have a close relative who is part of what can best be described as "the working poor."

Lifetime of low-paid-low benefit jobs. He's in early 60s.

Hospitalized w. a serious but ( should be) non life-threatening lower GI disease...which will probably involve surgery at some point and resection of the bowel.

Problem: hospital is aware of his budget med insurance ( might not have been when they took him in) and has intimated that they want him "out" before he's ready. ( He cannot, in his current shape, take care of himself.)

It's a large "private" ... at least nominally... hospital in a major metro area. (NYS)

Question: What are his legal options? He doesn't want to be discharged til he's at least able to care for himself.

What are the *hospital's* legal options?

I'm going over there to "help" this afternoon.

Anyone have any experience here with this sort of thing?

Thanks.