The Anchoress, who told us about Dr Paul Krugman and death panels, goes on to tell us about the case of parents who want a kidney transplant for their three year old mentally retarded daughter. No can do they are told by the medical professionals. Their daughter is retarded. Not even if they are the kidney donor.
The mentally retarded are expendable? We are headed in the wrong direction.
Regards — Cliff
6 comments:
Certainly an infuriating story. I would recommend that everyone sign the petition available here ( http://ilikeitfrantic.net/2012/01/help-save-amelias-life/ ).
However, are you sure that it is appropriate to use the story to make an argument about the health care reform law. It is not even clear who is responsible for this decision (besides the medical team themselves). It very well may be the case that this is the policy of here private insurance company. There are numerous examples of private insurance companies determining individual's lives to be 'expendable.'
Either way, thanks for alerting me to this very alarming story.
"Death Panels" have been in existence since the day the first doctor required cash for his or her services. We seem to be most comfortable with a capitalist distribution model, but I've always felt medicine, like universal telephone service, is not a bad exception to remain somewhat socialist in its distribution.
It comes down to America's value of a life. Whether it is a corporate entity or an individual or a government making the decision is quite immaterial. Insurance companies have only been slightly less egregious in their application of "principles of conservation of 'limited resources'" that would the Federal government which arguably would be a "court of last resort." If the Federal government decides a life is no longer worth the investment, that life is left on its own...an outcast.....banished from the circle of family. Curiously, the Inuit practice this without the benefit of a death panel. When a family member becomes too sick or infirm to contribute any longer to the family unit....there is a ceremonial gathering to say goodbye. The member undresses and goes out into the elements walking to his or her fate. Nature of course takes care of the disposal of the bodily remains.
It is perhaps unfair to say that American society has become highly situational in its convenient application of morality as certainly societies throughout history have been no less callous and in many cases, much more. That however should not prevent us from pursuing a higher level of conduct nor rationalize a more base one.
For Devan—I am not so much concerned, in this blog post, about the so called "Obama Care" as an attitude toward human life more reminiscent of "Life Unworthy of Life".
For Kad—I smile at all the condemnation of Governor Palin for her use of the term "Death Panels". She has a way of cutting to the chase.
For Neal—When is the next ice flow passing by? Although I am hoping the Z-Pack will be kicking in soon.
Regards — Cliff
I too have looked at the ice pack...though have not found it quite necessary to resort to Z-pak. Thus far, Flonase seems to be holding it all at bay. Happy recovery. You probably picked it up at Chili's when we were at lunch.
The tongue firmly in my cheek is, of course, that "death panel" is a ridiculous statement, and does absolutely nothing to improve the discourse. I'm not sure if you're infering that I in any way have anything nice to say about Ms Palin, but let me be clear--morons (and I used that term thoughtfully) who want to lower the healthcare debate into partisan polemics and useless hyperbole are the greatest barrier to progress that we have to solve.
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