If it is as bad as you are making it out to be, there shouldn't be a question, go and get it fixed. Worry about paying for it later. After you get the bill, there should be something on the back about how to reduce your bill if you meet certin finanical guidelines (below poverty level). I think in this case if you have no income, it is bascially done for free and they end up billing Medicare or eating the cost. Basically all hospitals have a "insurance" to cover to costs in situations like this, so they won't be out much money if any at all.