Windsor baby, parents over courts?

Armistead · 02-24-11, 02:24 PM

Saw this last night. Seems the court is trying to pull life support and left the baby die. The parents want them to perform a trach to keep the baby alive a while longer so they can take him home to die. Not sure why they would refuse this. The baby is in a vegetative state from a rare neurodegenerative condition and has no hope of recovery.

This brings about a much bigger issue. I read somewhere we spend over 60% of total medical cost during last stages of life. Often just to buy more time for the elderly. I think of my grandmother who was on life support for months, no hope of recovery, but the child in control wouldn't pull the plug. I'm sure this cost medicare a fortune.

The down side is we spend billions keeping people alive for a short time, could not that money be better spent on someone that has a real chance of life.

02-24-11, 02:24 PM	#1
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Windsor baby, parents over courts? Saw this last night. Seems the court is trying to pull life support and left the baby die. The parents want them to perform a trach to keep the baby alive a while longer so they can take him home to die. Not sure why they would refuse this. The baby is in a vegetative state from a rare neurodegenerative condition and has no hope of recovery. This brings about a much bigger issue. I read somewhere we spend over 60% of total medical cost during last stages of life. Often just to buy more time for the elderly. I think of my grandmother who was on life support for months, no hope of recovery, but the child in control wouldn't pull the plug. I'm sure this cost medicare a fortune. The down side is we spend billions keeping people alive for a short time, could not that money be better spent on someone that has a real chance of life.