I am not really sure about this but i do not think they will hold relatives responsible for payment of the bills. Since your wife is having the operation, she will be held responsible for the payment, not you. But they can never deny emergency medical treatment.

I think what will happen is your wife will have the operation and they will bill her. If she tells them she does not have the money, they will work out a plan with her of whatever she can afford. This will be the same as paying insurance for the rest of your life, instead of insurance company, one will be paying the hospital. If she cannot pay at all, i think eventually county will come in and help.

I am not sure about this but one thing is they can never deny emergency medical treatment.