Since your hobby is gaming have you tried LAN events? If there are some you can go to, even afford to fly to, you can make friends IRL and keep them when you go back home. You know you have one thing in common with your potential new friends!
Or join Discord groups! Join more social games like MMORPGs? I don't game anymore but think of my gaming friends fondly as I got to know many over the years and find out things about them in and out of games :)
Yes, they are required to treat anyone, regardless of status. EMTALA.
For your first question, we know and if not directly told, sometimes we have high suspicions. I employ social workers who directly ask what their social situation is (housed, finances, etc) and for any uninsured we ask if they would like Medicaid. More often than not they disclose (CA is a lot friendlier than TX) and we document it and find the appropriate resources for them. If they dont tell us, we dont document our suspicions (because we cannot objectively confirm) but we can def tell. They tend to speak another language only, be very guarded with their questions, etc. We often have Chinese and Hispanic individuals undocumented. We connect them to MediCal, PRUCOL, and treat them like anyone else, providing them as much support and resources as possible.
I'm not sure how forthcoming they are in Texas but im very positive these Texas hospitals also know which active and prior patients are undocumented if that information is disclosed. It is not difficult to search charts.
Hospitals give a fuck. Its like the only privacy law that is enforced and enforced well. Fines are high and people lose jobs over HIPAA violations.
Texas can tell them to violate it but doubtful they would be successful unless they are willing to foot $$$ on behalf of the hospital. Also, likely goes against hospital mission, values, etc.
Been on a mystery kick lately too. Not much time to physically read so all audiobooks here. Recently finished "Holly" by Stephen King and "Listen for the Lie" by Amy Tintera. Both are great as audiobooks!
Tomorrow, I'm completing "Tell the Machine Good Night" by Katie Williams (SciFi... Just okay ". After I'm excited to move onto "Dungeon Crawler Carl". I heard from many its one of best audiobooks ever!
I work with a lot of healthcare vendors outside the hospital. Some of them could not get authorizations, access to their orders like medical equipment, etc. Our "e fax" was down. All medical faxing. Fortunately, everyone was understanding and we made agreements to give patients what they needed for their health and all our vendors got authorizations from insurance after the fact.... All but one dumb equipment company.
I still play both Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
This is me too. I oddly have like 3 cups of water every day and have been fine. No abnormal labs or anything. Only drink when I am thirsty. Only increases in hot weather or exercise.
The Long Way to A Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. Very easy to get into.
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High is my go to. However there are so many other books that teach you how to connect with others.
My heart desires to always be healthy, beating regularly without issues, failure, or undue stress
I honestly loved Elemental and Encanto. Coco also solid but would be my third fav of the ones you listed.
To qualify for a wheelchair under American insurance, you have to be unsafe to use a walker or cane for mobility, be primarily wheelchair bound (need person to help transfer you or have enough upper body to transfer yourself), etc. Most patients I think of that I discharge with a wheelchair would not be able to use this device...
For those that can use something like this, there are so many micro mobility things out there. As someone pointed out recumbent bicycles already exist.
Guardians of the Galaxy on my Steam deck. I would imagine the fps and graphics would be better on a more capable device but its been fun. Great dialogue, music, and settings.