Responsibility for paying hospital bills?

I have a friend who recently suffered from a stoke. His initial hospital bills amounted to over $18,000. He also has bills from extended care at an isted living facility at $250.00 a day. He only claims an income of $12,000 a year on his W2's, however, he inherited about $200,000 which is currently invested in CD's. He is a veteran but the Vet office said he is not disabled enough to receive help from them. H told the hospital and nursing home he has no money and can not pay. Can he get away with this?