What's considered 'crap' to some would be traditional fare for others, I suppose. I'm pretty sure they still hand out menu things so you can pick and choose what you want for your meals the next day.
In many cases it's a false choice. It's all the same thing with different seasonings on it. Last time I was in the hospital it was starch sugar starch sugar starch, a soggy, overcooked veg, and mystery meat with added soy protein.
As for traditional food, most foods we now consider traditional never even existed 40 years ago.
It's hard to be in a hospital and want to eat the same food that you'd prepare for yourself. Maybe one day more hospitals will offer more choices to accomodate different wants and needs. Until then, maybe that gives some a great incentive to get outta there?
It's been years since I have been in the hospital, but I don't remember gagging over what food was offered. A friend was hospitalized last year for a hip replacement, she said the chow was much better than what it was 5 years ago. I'm sure there's a huge variance between hospitals, too.