Comments on: Sorry, Old Chap….

By: McGehee

McGehee — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:16:18 +0000

"So, who decides when it applies and when it doesn’t?"It will be sold, as usual, as being up to the doctors. In practice of course, as we have seen repeatedly, it’s faceless (and largely mindless) bureaucrats who will make the actual decisions. All justifiable from the procedural manual written by other faceless (and largely mindless) bureaucrats based on regulations developed by still other faceless (and largely mindless) bureaucrats — under guidance by a cadre of faceless (and largely mindless) lawyers.The doctors’ hands will be even more tied than they are now by HMOs and insurance companies.

By: martian

martian — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:45:16 +0000

"When there are limited resources for healthcare, applying the ‘rule of rescue’ may mean that other people will not be able to have the care or treatment they need."

So, who decides when it applies and when it doesn’t? And how much will it depend on what organs might be available for transplant if it isn’t applied? This is a veri slippery slope. If this is what Socialized Health Care means, I sure want no part of it!

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:44:15 +0000

These sorts of pronouncements scare the willies out of me. My health is good at the moment, but in another 30 years or so, I could be in some sort of a situation like is described in the post. The thought of this mindset taking over the health care field, anywhere in the world – much less in the USA, is downright scary. I have relatives and friends that are alive today because some heavy duty medical care was done on them. They aren’t decrepit codgers drooling in their lap in a wheelchair in some nursing home either, but active, productive people.

By: feeblemind

feeblemind — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:55:20 +0000

Even in the USA health care is eating up a greater percentage of GDP every year. I suspect the same questions will arise here in the next 10-15 yrs as the Boomers age. Don’t mistake my comments as endorsing the British approach. I just see a problem coming here as well. Perhaps we will learn from their mistakes. Or not.