Every discomfort in life nowadays, no matter how minuscule it is (for millions and millions of Americans), requires a trip to the ER, and the administration of 'pain medication'. There's no disincentive for them not to go to the ER because it is absolutely free of charge (to them). And the emphasis by 'the powers that be' placed on addressing 'pain' in the ER nowadays, no matter how tiny the discomfort is, is simply ridiculous. Pain is the 5th vital sign nowadays, even for a mosquito bite or a splinter. And even those patients are asked "is your pain being addressed adequately" not only by the supervisors making the rounds, but also on the surveys that the patient receives. It's not Generation X, it's Generation Rx..
