CLEVELAND (WJW) -- For decades, MetroHealth Medical Center has been a safety net for people in Northeast Ohio -- where anyone, insured or not, can get care.

But now that lifeline may be shrinking.

"The cost of that charity care, to care for anyone regardless of their ability to pay, has skyrocketed in the last two years, to the tune of $1 million a day," said Rita Andolson, a MetroHealth spokesperson.

To cut back, MetroHealth leaders are preparing to tighten the rules.

Free care for uninsured households would be capped at 250% of the federal poverty line. Families earning just a few dollars more would see subsidies slashed from 100% coverage to just 75%.

"So, we're looking at thresholds up to 400% of the federal poverty level in order to qualify you, based on certain discount level,"

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