A new lawsuit accuses the Harris County Hospital District of withholding services from indigent patients who could become sicker if they don't receive care.

The complaint alleges that the district is violating state law by charging co-payments for doctor visits and prescriptions before evaluating an individual's ability to pay. The lawsuit claims indigent patients were denied care at health centers and pharmacies, but not emergency rooms.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Hospital-District-sued-by-indigent-patients-3623601.php