Responsible Citizens & Health Care (updated below)
President Obama is now advocating that all Americans be required to purchase Health Care Insurance, not unlike the state laws that require automobile owners to have auto insurance on their vehicles. The media (including MAIN STREAM MEDIA) are now openly challenging the President's prior assertion that he would implement no tax on anyone making less than $250,000 a year. (The required health insurance would certainly be a "tax" on citizens not currently purchasing that coverage.)
And so, the President is now embracing the idea of "Responsible Citizens", unfortunately, he's focusing on the individuals that have already exhibited responsibility. He has yet to breath a word on creating any responsibility for those citizens that live entirely off of government largesse.
A disturbing story from Chicago:
My friend, a physician, was testifying for the defense in a Chicago malpractice case. The plaintiffs were the children of a 60-year old woman who had died. The woman weighed more than 400 pounds and had lived on disability for more than 30 years. (Not one of her children work, either.)
The woman, because of her morbid obesity, suffered from high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol. She had a previous heart attack and was on home oxygen. She'd been in the hospital 12 times in the past three years. In her most recent visit, breathing had become increasingly difficult. The doctor attempted to intubate (place a tube down her throat) to help with breathing. But, because of her gross weight issues, he was unable to successfully get the tube down her throat.
She eventually became unconscious and went into a coma. The family demanded that everything be done to keep her alive. This, despite the fact that multiple consultations with the family showed that the woman was essentially "brain dead" and would not recover. The woman laid in a vegetative state for eight months before she succumbed. Keep in mind, all this was being paid for with Medicaid dollars.
Now the family is suing the physician for malpractice. A key element of their case is the "pain and suffering" endured by the patient in the eight months of unconsciousness - a decision made by the family, against the advice of every medical expert.
It was only by keeping the patient alive (with the government footing the bill) for as long as possible that the family can now make the claim of "pain and suffering" - an amount that they claim is worth..........$10 million!
Don't get me wrong. The family is certainly entitled to sue. But does the woman bear no responsibility for her eventual demise?
I agree that as a taxpayer I need to be a responsible citizen.
But, can't we set some level of responsibility for those who are contributing nothing?
***********************UPDATE************************
The parties reached a settlement. The physician's insurance company settled the case for $500,000. (Previously, the hospital settled for $800.000). The jury, not having to reach a verdict, was polled, and they were locked in a 11-1 vote in favor of the defendant.
That's $1.3 million that's just been swiped from the health care system.
Nope, there's no need for tort reform........just move along.
And so, the President is now embracing the idea of "Responsible Citizens", unfortunately, he's focusing on the individuals that have already exhibited responsibility. He has yet to breath a word on creating any responsibility for those citizens that live entirely off of government largesse.
A disturbing story from Chicago:
My friend, a physician, was testifying for the defense in a Chicago malpractice case. The plaintiffs were the children of a 60-year old woman who had died. The woman weighed more than 400 pounds and had lived on disability for more than 30 years. (Not one of her children work, either.)
The woman, because of her morbid obesity, suffered from high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol. She had a previous heart attack and was on home oxygen. She'd been in the hospital 12 times in the past three years. In her most recent visit, breathing had become increasingly difficult. The doctor attempted to intubate (place a tube down her throat) to help with breathing. But, because of her gross weight issues, he was unable to successfully get the tube down her throat.
She eventually became unconscious and went into a coma. The family demanded that everything be done to keep her alive. This, despite the fact that multiple consultations with the family showed that the woman was essentially "brain dead" and would not recover. The woman laid in a vegetative state for eight months before she succumbed. Keep in mind, all this was being paid for with Medicaid dollars.
Now the family is suing the physician for malpractice. A key element of their case is the "pain and suffering" endured by the patient in the eight months of unconsciousness - a decision made by the family, against the advice of every medical expert.
It was only by keeping the patient alive (with the government footing the bill) for as long as possible that the family can now make the claim of "pain and suffering" - an amount that they claim is worth..........$10 million!
Don't get me wrong. The family is certainly entitled to sue. But does the woman bear no responsibility for her eventual demise?
I agree that as a taxpayer I need to be a responsible citizen.
But, can't we set some level of responsibility for those who are contributing nothing?
***********************UPDATE************************
The parties reached a settlement. The physician's insurance company settled the case for $500,000. (Previously, the hospital settled for $800.000). The jury, not having to reach a verdict, was polled, and they were locked in a 11-1 vote in favor of the defendant.
That's $1.3 million that's just been swiped from the health care system.
Nope, there's no need for tort reform........just move along.
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