They Sent Him Home To Die...

[kpete]

SAT NOV 05, 2011 AT 05:19 PM PDT
They Sent Him Home To Die
byfrustrated1Follow


I was with my great-uncle when he was filling out his absentee ballot for the 2008 election. He was getting older and needed help filling out his ballot. As he filled in the ballot he began to cry. I asked him what was wrong and he told me that nothing was wrong. He just never thought in his life that he'd see an African American running for president, much less be able to vote for one himself. He said he could never right the wrongs of his past, but that very moment he said that America had changed and it was changing for the better.

My uncle was a strong proponent of "Obamacare". He had dealt with health insurance companies for years as a small business owner. He realized how expensive health care could be. He strongly favored a public option. He felt that no matter what, people deserved to be treated humanely when they are sick.

Unfortunately, a stingy health insurance company will ensure his death is anything but humane. The hospital that had been treating him decided to send him home saying without the recommended treatment there was nothing they could do for him but keep him comfortable.

My great-uncle was sent home with a bag of pills and the name of a local hospice contact. He is weak, and probably won't last many more days. Today I talked to him on the phone. He was upbeat for someone on his death bed. I asked him if there was anything I can do for him and he said, "Make sure Obama gets re-elected."

MORE:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/05/1033591/-They-Sent-Him-Home-To-Die?via=siderec

[alphafemale]

1. I can actually foresee a time in my life where I'd be OK with that.

In fact I'd probably appreciate the doctors honesty.

If when I am 80+ someone suggested an invasive operation and the average lifespan has not dramatically increased from what it is now?

I will smack the stupid out of that person. And no one will arrest me. Because I'll be old.

[FarCenter]

2. About half of medical expenses are in the last 18 months of life.

Much of the rest are spend in chronic conditions, such as congential conditions, chronic illnesses, or permanent injury.

Quite a bit is spent on childbirth, especially premature babies.

Very little of medical expenses are spent on treating illnesses that can be cured or injuries that can be healed.

[hedgehog]

8. "Aetna determined that it was not "cost efficient to administer further treatment at this time."

I wonder what their criteria is? Sometimes the only thing a treatment does is to prolong the dying - the person lives longer but is sick in bed the entire time. But not "cost efficient to administer further treatment at this time? There's your death panel right there!

[Scuba]

9. I'll never be OK with some corporate bureaucrat in Connecticut deciding...

...the treatment my physician recommends will get in the way of corporate profits.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Recommended...

N/T

[redgiant]

4. Please consider my take on this

First of all, I'm very sorry about your great-uncle's situation. Make sure the family gives him all the love and support they can.

The end-of-life is, under the best circumstances, difficult for all concerned.

Please consider home hospice as a very humane way for this situation to play out.

Several years ago, my mother passed from complications of stroke and terminal cancer at age 85. Trust me when I say home hospice was wonderful.

My mother was comfortable, in her own home, surrounded by loved ones. Her favorite music was playing and I was holding her hand when she passed.

Very, very often, a hospital may not be the best place to be in the last remaining weeks or days of a terminal situation. Obviously, there are exceptions.

I can not imagine being in my mother's condition and preferring to be in a hospital just to put off the inevitable for a few more hours or days.

Peace.

[MisterP]

5. yeah, the President's a real champion of the public option; the insurers just quake in their shoes

[SheilaT]

6. Hospice is the best possible thing

at the end of life. Please do it. You will not regret it.

[bluestateguy]

7. My grandmother was not a big fan of black people, but she voted for Obama

She even admitted to liking him by the time he was elected.

She died last year.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. An "industry" whose business model requires NOT providing the product which customers pay for ... nt

[lynne]

11. As my mother says, "There are worse things than death" -

- and being prodded and poked for days on end in a cold, sterile hospital when death is both natural and imminent is one of them. Hospice is a wonderful organization. I saw them in action when a good friend died after a long battle with cancer. To be without pain and be in your own home with your family around was possibly the kindest thing that the Doctor could have ordered in this situation.

[bvar22]

12. How is enshrining the For Profit Health Insurance Corporations...

...as the only gateway to Health Care in America going to help people like your uncle? :shrug: