My dad has stage IV kidney cancer. Fortunately, he is doing fairly well in terms of quality of life. He can walk and talk and eat and think. He can play with his grandchildren. He can walk a mile and take a bag along to pick up trash. I am so very thankful for everyday his is still alive. He is 62.
But his last surgery was a year ago. There was a tumor in his spine. They removed the tumor and put pins and rod in his spine. The surgery was quite successful. It cost a $150,000. My Dad is lucky to have excellent insurance so it was all covered.
Of course, from my perspective, the surgery was completely worth it. But I had asked his surgeon if the surgery would be taking place if he was 80. The surgeon didn't know. This was an honest answer. But the subject has lingered on in my mind.
Do we keep performing expensive surgeries and treatment at any age to keep people alive? Is that why our health care costs are so out of control?
People like my dad are having very expensive treaments because they are covered by insurance. But this increases the cost of insurance so other people cannot afford insurance.
I am so glad that my dad is fighting for his life. But I keep wondering if it is fair that the expensive surgeries and treaments deprive others of treatment. I know life isn't fair but I like to think that Democrats work to level the playing field.
I am 100% for universal nationally funded health insurance. I am not sure that this will end the controversay about extending life at a great expense. It will most likely increase the debate because the cost will be paid by the tax payers.