Reply #12: I don't know if this counts as seldom used... [View All]

[AnneD]

I know of 2 cases that have made it to court in Houston, this case and the Sun Hudson case..I expect to see more. Hospitals and health care in general are in bad way. Less gov reimbursements for Medicare/Medicade, more indigent care, less skilled staff (Nurses and Docs), equipment and drug costs through the roof, oh and lets not forget lawsuits for everyone. Now I think we can squeeze out more health care dollars if we cut out the insurance paperwork middle man (say with universal minimum coverage) and reduce the hefty salaries of the useless SOS health care CEO's. But, we do not have endless sums of money to provide health care for 5, 10, even 25 years. I am prepared for flames here, but I fear we may have to ration care. Many years ago, people in persistent vegetative comas did not live as long. The advent of respirators, feeding tubes and IV nutrition has created this nether world. Am I saying don't feed or give water and other comfort measures...no. Am I saying no vents, feeding tube, etc....well, if the could be an outcome with a good quality of life...it's worth a shot, give them a chance. But if it were me, and I had a poor prognosis, I would want my hubby or daughter to do what needed to be done (PULL THE PLUG) with out guilt and I damn sure wouldn't want to be some residents surgical experience. We talk in Nursing circles about the impending rationing of health care unless there are major changes.