In other words, I did not say that cheaper was always good. Just like with ers or even county health departments they may be free at the time of use ( or very low cost, but they are designed to basically keep you from dying in the street or otherwise having NO treatment. In many cases whether it is clothing, healthcare, food housing or anything else ( not quite as much with clothing) you can generally expect a lower quality no matter if you are taking the cheaper option to save money or because it is all you can afford.
Correct, most county plans give you the care you need, it's free for the user, but in the end the tax payer funds it. The county plan here in Hillsborough County Florida (Tampa) is pretty good, I know several people on it, you are assigned a Primary Care Provider (PCP) that with few exceptions is either a Physicians Assistant, or, a Nurse Practitioner. The PCP can refer you to a specialist, but not all specialties are represented.
The plan cannot be used outside the county without prior approval. They also do not do outpatient pain control, if you need narcotic pain medication, you have to go to the Hospital Emergency room (you are assigned to a hospital as well) the plan is managed very closely, and is more reactionary than preventive in nature, but does comply with the Affordable Care Act.
The patient has no real control, being told what to do, where to go, and what medication to take, what surgery you will get, and what surgeon will do it. Patients always get generic medications. And forget about sustained release, or long acting types, if it can be given every four hours, that's what you get.
However, you get the care you need, and it's better than nothing, and has worked to decrease healthcare cost for the indigent, and their HEALTH IS BETTER.
PCP reimbursement is around $14.