That story makes no sense, and is a typical pseudo-liberal propaganda: USA is negative, negative, negative...
Most likely, the kid went to UCC too late, where it was correctly decided he needs to be admitted by a serious facility. In US, if you have no insurance, it doesn't mean you won't get the best care. You need to sign a paper either way. After your life is being saved and you get the astronomical bill, several mechanisms step in: it could be hospital itself, it could be a welfare officer on the hospital premises. Most of the time, in cases like his, it is 100% write-off.
Media, as nearly always, simply lies. I worked in more than a dozen of hospitals (for-profit, non-profit) to buy into this kind of BS. Most people not familiar with reality would believe this propaganda though. Some gullible souls would even quote meaningless 'data' from WHO...
It serves several purposes; well-to-do folks with and regular folks insurance coverage should feel bad, feel guilty, feel outraged and folks outside USA need a reminder after reminder that all their problems are born out the very existence of this country.