Sunday, June 03, 2018

Patient on life support system

Twp parents of children who are critically ill refused to give permission to turn off the life support system, resulting in large financial expense for themselves and for the state.

What can be done about this situation? Who should bear the expenses? Can the hospital turn off the life support system if the parents cannot pay the bills?

We do not want money to be the key determinent of this kind of decisions. What other approach can be taken?

Oftentimes the parents or family members cannot take this decision. It is too hard for them. Somebody must take the decision on their behalf.

I suggest the following approach. The parents or family members have a say up to one year. Beyond that date, the state or hospital will have a say. The law can be passed to allow the hospital to determine if the patient should continue to be on life support system.

What are your views?




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