General Discussion

Jasana

(490 posts)

231. What's contemptible is Arizona denying transplants to poor people on Medicaid.

Wed Aug 14, 2013, 03:25 AM

Aug 2013

Sorry you haven't heard about it till now. I know this is cruel but try to think about it from my perspective. I'm a poor person. In fact I rate just above poverty because of my disability. If I wasn't on Medicare, I'd be on Medicaid. Why should I participate in a country wide program if there are poor people in the country who are being denied? When Arizona stops this, I will put myself back on the list.

As for the case in the OP, shouldn't he be given a chance? Does "in trouble with the law" equal a death sentence? What if he has an illness like bipolar disease. That can make a person unstable but I'm not sure it's justified to kill him. You're right. These are very hard questions.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20027668-10391704.html

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Dying Teen Is Being Denied A Heart Transplant Because He�s Had Trouble With The Law [View all] Tx4obama Aug 2013 OP

This Country Has Lost Its Fucking Mind... Heart... And Soul... WillyT Aug 2013 #1

. darkangel218 Aug 2013 #33

This message was self-deleted by its author EL34x4 Apr 2015 #243

A strange idea of what makes a person have "value." You must be "compliant," enough Aug 2013 #2

Just so you know, compliance is critical for a sucessfull transplant... WCGreen Aug 2013 #13

dupe Swagman Aug 2013 #16

this is true Swagman Aug 2013 #18

The local news seemed to focus more on his willingness to take his medicine correctly... Phentex Aug 2013 #50

didn't some rich famous person get a transplant a few years ago? ejpoeta Aug 2013 #51

Larry Hagman? Borchkins Aug 2013 #57

Mickey Mantle gollygee Aug 2013 #103

All I know is that the Cleveland Clinic has a blind process... WCGreen Aug 2013 #225

David Crosby, John Phillips, Phil Lesh... magical thyme Aug 2013 #194

Livers can be donated from living donors (lobes); hearts not so much REP Aug 2013 #200

I'm aware of that. that wasn't always the case, however. magical thyme Aug 2013 #205

If they told you that they would take you off the list because you talked back to your boss, or jtuck004 Aug 2013 #21

I have to point out that I have been prepping for the transplant or close to 10 years... WCGreen Aug 2013 #34

Nobody said it was always about race. But I bet it's a lot more than most white people want to admit jtuck004 Aug 2013 #37

How in the world did you miss that this is being discussed as a racial issue... WCGreen Aug 2013 #116

Don't see where I missed anything. But it sounds like you are doing well. Good luck!! n/t jtuck004 Aug 2013 #117

I saw the story and was about to come add something similar. Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #55

That post trumps all others in this thread Orrex Aug 2013 #60

Absolutely it is Aerows Aug 2013 #72

With that being said...and you are 100% correct Horse with no Name Aug 2013 #105

If he doesn't take his meds, his transplanted heart will get rejected and he will die. LisaL Aug 2013 #227

the point is...that there is a consistent issue with ALL teens Horse with no Name Aug 2013 #238

My sister is 18 months into a full recovery from a double kidney/liver transplant riderinthestorm Aug 2013 #127

Blessings to you and your family Aerows Aug 2013 #136

I should be listed by late September... WCGreen Aug 2013 #224

A total misunderstanding Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #23

Of course I understand the concept of medical compliance and I understand its importance. enough Aug 2013 #206

More reasonable Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #214

Compliant with the treatment regimen. It's pretty important (nt) Recursion Aug 2013 #46

compliance within medicine refers to whether or not a patient is likely to take their medicine, magical thyme Aug 2013 #191

If you're not medically compliant, an organ goes to waste REP Aug 2013 #199

It's like we all must be good little Germans, never questioning anything indepat Aug 2013 #211

So who get's to weigh which life meets "worthy of saving" status? Disgraceful... n/t 1awake Aug 2013 #3

It's not whether the life is worthy of saving, it's whether it can be saved Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #25

I'm grateful it's not me, but someone has to. There's nothing disgraceful about it at all. Donald Ian Rankin Aug 2013 #44

Welcome to the world of organ transplantation Recursion Aug 2013 #47

The doctors doing the transplants. MicaelS Aug 2013 #134

What you have here is a new low in America's health care. No evidence he would take his meds. Jefferson23 Aug 2013 #4

Please read post #13 for the facts. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2013 #17

I appreciate reading what he posted, thank you. My concern for this young teen and many others Jefferson23 Aug 2013 #222

Teenageers often don't Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #30

And not only little chance of success Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #56

Yes, the question is whether the determination here is correctly made, Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #59

Another article says he failed to take his medication in the past - Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #61

Yes, that's the "history of non-compliance" that matters here Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #64

I have a daughter who will need a transplant someday Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #67

I'm so sorry - how old is she? Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #75

She's 23. Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #83

I am sorry, that is a rough one Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #99

Since late middle school Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #110

Thank you to you and Yo Mama. n/t Butterbean Aug 2013 #122

So only in America Politicalboi Aug 2013 #5

Only in America. NCTraveler Aug 2013 #125

Just FYI: In most other countries usually only the very rich get transplanted-it's a corrupt system! hue Aug 2013 #154

Is it Racial? sheshe2 Aug 2013 #6

Sounds like it to me too. MotherPetrie Aug 2013 #7

Or, is it because he has refused to take his meds? joeglow3 Aug 2013 #95

Its not. As a first hand observer of the system, I know its not riderinthestorm Aug 2013 #132

I appreciate your sharing that information, rider. sheshe2 Aug 2013 #142

Death Panel. n/t Motown_Johnny Aug 2013 #8

And yet they gave Darth Cheney a new one n/t n2doc Aug 2013 #9

Darth Cheney has an overlord who will ensure his compliance. MADem Aug 2013 #27

Talk about non-compliance! n/t JimDandy Aug 2013 #28

Sounds like the kid isn't the only one in need of a heart. marble falls Aug 2013 #10

Is he black? n/t jtuck004 Aug 2013 #11

Yup. nt avebury Aug 2013 #12

Perhaps you should read the comments kiva Aug 2013 #148

Perhaps you should actually talk to me before presuming what is in my head. n/t jtuck004 Aug 2013 #175

Fair enough. kiva Aug 2013 #187

Glad you asked, yet you still take the self-righteous tack that it's ok for YOU to make an jtuck004 Aug 2013 #195

Where is the "PRO LIFE" movement? N/t alp227 Aug 2013 #14

Their heads are stuck up some woman's uterus. npk Aug 2013 #157

This is obsene. blackspade Aug 2013 #15

FACT: If he gets the heart, some other young person doesn't get the heart. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #180

Fact: If he doesn't get it he dies. blackspade Aug 2013 #203

You ducked the question. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #207

You know, I'm not sure why you are being so fucking hostile. blackspade Aug 2013 #212

You said it was obscene that he wasn't getting a heart. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #216

You said it was obscene that he wasn't getting a heart. blackspade Aug 2013 #218

The parents, NOT the hospital, said that poor schoolwork was the reason for non-complience. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #220

Well it worked because he is staying on the transplant list. blackspade Aug 2013 #223

This is nothing new, and it's inevitable. mountain grammy Aug 2013 #19

Honestly? Lancero Aug 2013 #20

I have always felt it should be mandatory Egnever Aug 2013 #24

Similar Lancero Aug 2013 #26

Most of the organ recipients I know Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #71

Transplant 2 SamKnause Aug 2013 #32

That would suck Egnever Aug 2013 #35

Thank you - Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #69

How would you feel? Captain Stern Aug 2013 #49

Thank you. n/t Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #70

I wouldn't like it - Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #73

Wow. Fuck over a kid or someone in need because you don't like Cheney joeglow3 Aug 2013 #96

You would have still added a heart to the mix. NCTraveler Aug 2013 #128

Well said, NCTraveler. Aerows Aug 2013 #140

A person will possibly die because of your petulance. Codeine Aug 2013 #139

Even if yours went to Cheney, that means another went to someone else. RedCappedBandit Aug 2013 #219

Not mandatory, but it should be opt-out. Xithras Aug 2013 #186

I totally agree. Opt out, not in. laundry_queen Aug 2013 #197

Sadly these choices must be made Egnever Aug 2013 #22

Transplant SamKnause Aug 2013 #29

Couldnt agree more Egnever Aug 2013 #31

the Death Panel has spoken ...nt quadrature Aug 2013 #36

Sounds very one sided... Sotf Aug 2013 #38

Another article confirms that. Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #66

They don't think they can count on him to take his medications Warpy Aug 2013 #39

non-compliant = non-white mwrguy Aug 2013 #40

Based on what? Sotf Aug 2013 #68

In the realm of organ transplants, you are wrong. Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #79

This sounds fishy. Aren't juvenile records sealed? How would the hospital know his grades? dkf Aug 2013 #41

It is Aerows Aug 2013 #76

I understand they would be concerned about his ability to follow medical instructions. dkf Aug 2013 #77

It's VERY likely Aerows Aug 2013 #80

But aren't the parents complaining its NOT due to his history of compliance but his grades... dkf Aug 2013 #88

I guess Aerows Aug 2013 #89

I agree that a person who has a poor prognosis because they don't have the habits needed to upkeep dkf Aug 2013 #94

I think you already know Aerows Aug 2013 #97

The parents in the article above Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #126

Another article says the doctors told them it was failure to take meds Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #133

K & R for visibility dreamnightwind Aug 2013 #42

If he gets a heart, some other young person won't get the heart and will die. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #183

I would give him yours dreamnightwind Aug 2013 #188

Because I care more about someone actually surviving than an emotional knee-jerk... GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #201

Ha, just messing with you dreamnightwind Aug 2013 #204

How would you choose who gets hearts? Donald Ian Rankin Aug 2013 #43

That is a primary criteria. Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #63

Absolutely it does Aerows Aug 2013 #74

those of you trying to make this racial can fuck off... ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #45

I think so too Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #78

They really should Aerows Aug 2013 #102

Thank you. Codeine Aug 2013 #138

That needed to be said, Thank you! n/t MicaelS Aug 2013 #141

Well the article was from Think Progress npk Aug 2013 #164

Everyone so glibly condemning the hospital should talk to whoever does end up getting the next heart Recursion Aug 2013 #48

Definition: compliant = wealthy; non-compliant = poor AndyA Aug 2013 #52

Oh, BS Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #91

Chill out AndyA Aug 2013 #137

That is very insulting eilen Aug 2013 #240

It's great that you care, and I'm sure your patients are fortunate to have you as a nurse. AndyA Aug 2013 #242

The ignorance....it hurts!!!!! joeglow3 Aug 2013 #98

At the headline I wondered which Pro-Life Republican State? gordianot Aug 2013 #53

bullshit... ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #118

Actually you do not know what I do. Here is hoping the donors get their moneys worth. gordianot Aug 2013 #215

then you didn't do what i suggested ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #217

Transplants SamKnause Aug 2013 #54

This article does not match with another article Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #58

And patients have to take a lot of meds after the transplant. LisaL Aug 2013 #93

Well, on the racists' bright side, they have one less Black kid to worry about nt MrScorpio Aug 2013 #62

this post is fucking bullshit... ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #119

My uncle had a heart transplant Aerows Aug 2013 #65

Thank you for telling the truth Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #81

By design, anti-rejection medication weakens the immune system Aerows Aug 2013 #84

My drivers' license says "organ donor" in prominent green letters MrNJ Aug 2013 #82

Exactly Captain Stern Aug 2013 #90

Yes. Little red heart with a "Y" in it. joeglow3 Aug 2013 #100

We can only get information from the family because of HIPAA. The hospital can't explain things.(m) nessa Aug 2013 #85

What is the life of a young black countingbluecars Aug 2013 #86

Yes Aerows Aug 2013 #106

your attempt to make this racial is disgusting... ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #120

It seems to me that questioning something like this countingbluecars Aug 2013 #143

A 50% chance of his life is worth less than a 75% chance of someone else's (warning: numbers made up Donald Ian Rankin Aug 2013 #145

injecting race into a problem when race was not an issue is disgusting... ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #178

I wasn't screaming or being antagonistic like you. countingbluecars Aug 2013 #179

you're goddamned right I am antogonistic ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #189

If he gets a heart, some other young person won't get the heart and will die. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #184

It's not a question of how much they value his life. It's a question of how much *he* values it. magical thyme Aug 2013 #198

Post removed Post removed Aug 2013 #87

another person seeing race where race has nothing to do with it... ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #121

Post was alerted: and thats why they are gone. Results beloew.... TeamPooka Aug 2013 #226

And of course the fact that he is black, in GA, has noooothing to do with it. kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #92

No it doesn't. cordelia Aug 2013 #101

That's being naive. kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #149

No, it's not. cordelia Aug 2013 #160

And you are a veterinarian saying this? Aerows Aug 2013 #104

??? I DO understand. I understand that black males are always assumed to be criminals kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #150

I would think Aerows Aug 2013 #153

The hospital follows NATIONAL guidelines for transplants... Phentex Aug 2013 #146

I can pretty much guarantee you that a white male of the same age would never have his school record kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #152

No, but failing to take his medication Aerows Aug 2013 #155

And I can pretty much guarantee you that that didn't happen to this boy either. Donald Ian Rankin Aug 2013 #156

No you cannot. Phentex Aug 2013 #161

Well as long as YOU can guarantee us, that pretty much settles it. npk Aug 2013 #169

Holy shit Boudica the Lyoness Aug 2013 #228

Which escaped the notice of a person Aerows Aug 2013 #158

Well, I don't know about that but someone who works at the hospital Phentex Aug 2013 #165

I only know Aerows Aug 2013 #167

my cousin had a heart transplant... Phentex Aug 2013 #170

It's a risky procedure Aerows Aug 2013 #173

What a world! Little Star Aug 2013 #107

I know a family who had to search all over the country for a hospital Jenoch Aug 2013 #108

And you can be pretty certain Aerows Aug 2013 #111

So these "sterile, absolutely clean habits" countingbluecars Aug 2013 #114

Not really Aerows Aug 2013 #115

Why would you even suggest that? Boudica the Lyoness Aug 2013 #229

I was not suggesting any of those things. countingbluecars Aug 2013 #237

I took myself off the organ donor list because... Jasana Aug 2013 #109

"Arizona killing patients who need transplants just because they're on Medicaid" Aerows Aug 2013 #113

Paranoid? Not quite LordGlenconner Aug 2013 #129

That's probably an insult Aerows Aug 2013 #131

Not paranoid. Telling you the truth. See CBS article below... Jasana Aug 2013 #230

shit like what? ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #123

As a parent of a daughter who will need a liver transplant. Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #130

I am sorry about your daughter... Jasana Aug 2013 #232

Getting well is not going to happen. Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #236

That's both foolish and contemptible. Donald Ian Rankin Aug 2013 #147

What's contemptible is Arizona denying transplants to poor people on Medicaid. Jasana Aug 2013 #231

Because there aren't enough chances to go round, that's why. Donald Ian Rankin Aug 2013 #233

You say... Jasana Aug 2013 #235

That'll show em... Sotf Aug 2013 #166

That's ironic. RedCappedBandit Aug 2013 #221

Wha? In case you didn't know, Arizona is denying transplants to people on Medicaid... Jasana Aug 2013 #234

Well, unfortunately I think the time is coming liberalhistorian Aug 2013 #239

Boy, vayz und means, eh. ananda Aug 2013 #112

sounds like a death panel to me. nt grasswire Aug 2013 #124

Yes, that's exactly what it is. Do you have a better alternative? Donald Ian Rankin Aug 2013 #144

"Which of these people is more likely to survive" Aerows Aug 2013 #151

I doubt if there's a correlastion in "compliance" between getting good school grades and dying. WinkyDink Aug 2013 #135

You have only heard the parents side of the story. GreenStormCloud Aug 2013 #185

there is a correlation between adhering to a strict regimen and surviving, or not adhering and magical thyme Aug 2013 #202

My wife was just rejected by the transplant team for a liver transplant egold2604 Aug 2013 #159

I'm deeply sorry to hear this Aerows Aug 2013 #163

Thank you for your perspective... Phentex Aug 2013 #168

I'm terribly sorry Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #172

I don't recall ever seeing a thread on DU onenote Aug 2013 #196

Artificial kidneys & hearts will eventually(beginning 2017 for kidneys)negate the ethical decisions. hue Aug 2013 #162

Some interesting statistics countingbluecars Aug 2013 #171

But don't most of these statistics arise from medical facts? Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #174

Also from the article countingbluecars Aug 2013 #176

Aside from socio-economic factors, which are still significant Yo_Mama Aug 2013 #182

Thank you. Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #209

funny how many times the words 'i think' come up in this article... ProdigalJunkMail Aug 2013 #190

Any article that repeats misinformation in its headline Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #208

I agree that the headline may be inaccurate countingbluecars Aug 2013 #210

I've spent far too much time thinking about transplants Ms. Toad Aug 2013 #213

Death panel. n/t Orsino Aug 2013 #177

Educational thread here. BlueCheese Aug 2013 #181

I think we all agree that we wish Phentex Aug 2013 #192

kick Liberal_in_LA Aug 2013 #193

It looks like they put him back on the list. nt eilen Aug 2013 #241

Anthony Stokes has been killed. EL34x4 Apr 2015 #244

I thought of this thread immediately upon hearing of his death Orrex Apr 2015 #245