Studies have shown that not all these people are indigent: a quarter or more can afford insurance, but choose not to buy it.

ECONOMIST: Reforming American health care

We can make contributions for people who are indigent.

WSJ: The Wall Street Journal: Ben Carson for President

As spending on police, prosecutors and prisons has steadily climbed in the past decade, increasing the number of people charged and imprisoned, spending on indigent defence has not kept pace, overwhelming an already hard-pressed system.

ECONOMIST: The criminal law