It's time to take the profit motive out of our health care system before none of us (except the rich) can afford it.

Single Payer now!!

Not if the Republicans have their way, he won't, and in any case, with the level of care that Medicaid provides someone as fragile as he is will be dead within six months, or heartily wish they were.

If you're not a member of Congress or in the top ten percent of the wealthy in this country and have a catastrophic injury or illness, you are doomed, and it won't be a comfortable, peaceful death, either.

Taking the profit out of medicare will, eventually, be the end of healthcare for all of us. Just as taking the profit out of free enterprise will be the end of all of our hopes for the future. Why work hard, or take chances just to live as those who didn't, or couldn't try? Russia tried that marlen, and we all know what happened to the USSR in 1989. I feel for Rocky, but destroying the free enterprise system is not the answer.

Sorry about his injury but he is eligible for state help. The fact that this story proclaims that he was going to become rich and famous and buy his mother a house just stinks of mom trying to get people to donate to her house fund! I hate when I read about this! Years ago a woman nearby was given a benefit because she needed a heart/lung transplant or she would die. This family had several young children and a working father. She never got the transplant because she suddenly didn't need one. They moved a few miles down and built a new home with the funds they got from the more than likely scam they pulled. Soured me to donating to people unless I know for sure they have no other help. How often are funds set up for families who were burned out in fires only to find out they had insurance coverage? And what about people who claim they need help for ill children though they have insurance? It's too common and I don't like the deception.

Senator Bernie Sanders, (I-Vt) just introduced legislation that would expand Medicare for more people. We need more options on covering this countries medical needs of its citizens. The For-Profit Insurers need competition and other country's have Universal Health Care for all it's citizens. Putting this young man on Medicaid is not the answer. Medicare for all, is. It gives the for profit insurers competitions to reign in costs, and have to compete.

Dasvet: The USSR did not break up because of their health care system. I also saw Glenn Beck make that same claim a while back.

I also disagree that providing affordable health care to all it's citizens will destroy the free market system in this country. On the contrary, studies show that it will help our competitiveness in the world.

Entitled To My Opinion Aren't you being a little negative? So, because one person "scammed" the system, we condemn all people as being the same? Where is YOUR compassion?

This IS an article about the problems of the Us health care system. These people still are optimistic about their situation, not everyone is an opportunistic person just trying to suck the system dry....Get a clue.

What medicaid ? The states are cutting back on medicaid through out the country. I hate to say but this guy's chances of long term survival is nil.

It's sad to say but Dr. Kavorkian was ahead of his time. That's what my X father in law said. He was terminally ill and wanted to go, but he had to wait while he suffered until nature took it's course.

This is in response to Entitled. You might want to consider moving to a warmer climate to unfreeze that cold hard heart of yours.

Retired RN-439841

Not if the Republicans have their way, he won't, and in any case, with the level of care that Medicaid provides someone as fragile as he is will be dead within six months, or heartily wish they were.

If you're not a member of Congress or in the top ten percent of the wealthy in this country and have a catastrophic injury or illness, you are doomed, and it won't be a comfortable, peaceful death, either.

I don’t blame the republicans or the democrats, I blame us, the people, we are the ones who have to take a stand on this, we are the ones who have to tell our elected politicians what we want, not what they want.

We tend to forget that they work for us, not the other way around, they are there to serve us, and it has been now for years that we serve them.

This country does not belong to Washington or the politicians, it belongs to the people, the people that make up this nation, they can be replaced, the people cannot, without us there is no America, no government, and no need for them.

But first, the people need to get on the same page, and work for the same things rather than finding fault, we need to find common ground that we can fight from and set aside political deference’s that cause our leaders to run amuck and do as they please.

Jim-789449, absolutely perfect sentiment and I support it 100%. Now, having said that so you know my position where the heck are these Americans who have allowed themselves to be enslaved in this manner? Sitting behind their TVs and whining. When was the last time that you saw Americans marching in the streets demanding their rights? I saw more illegal aliens marching waving Mexican flags, burning US flags, in Washington, DC demanding rights that they aren't even entitled to. Not a cop or ICE agent to be seen either! They aren't afraid to demonstrate, why are we?

Jim: Divide and Conquer. The banksters on wall street (via our elected politicians) keep the masses fighting amongst themselves while they continue with business as usual.

God we never learn..

Well, gee. I thought I did work for health care reform and a public option when I volunteered and voted for President Obama. You know, hope and change. Yes I can.

But we did not get health care reform, we got a modification that is making premiums so expensive I might have to opt out. Plus anyone who's dealt with insurance companies knows that they'll always find a way to make you pay.

Perhaps we should try to get this young man the same insurance policy that Giffords has for her care. Will her insurance policy run out?

The US is spending millions of dollars to bomb Libya and yet the US doesn't have money to help patients like this gentleman. Not right.

Blue Burner - Obama did want the health care for all but what he got from CONGRESS was very different. Yes, we could have ditched the whole messs but out of this mess came some good and it was worth keeping that "some good." Just like Social Security there will come a day to add more to the Health reform.

The difference in folks is that some think health care is a privilage and others think it is a fundamental right of a civilized society. Most civilized countries have this problem solved; medical care for all is not a area for companies to make spectacular profits. We in the USA can't get past that.

To those that are suggesting that some unlimited government health care would help this man, consider that any such system would be likely (after the first couple of years of euphoric spending with no concerns for cost) put him in a facility -- which supposedly isn't "good enough" for his condition. Instead of having 7x24 home healthcare for several years, I expect he would have been put into a nursing home sort of facility immediately (unless it was cheaper to do the home healthcare, but that seems unlikely).

Read the article carefully. He already has Medicaid.

If you're not a member of Congress or in the top ten percent of the wealthy in this country and have a catastrophic injury or illness, you are doomed...

All the more reason to make it a law that members of Congress receive the same health care plan as every other citizen in this country. If politicians are faced with the same health care options as voters, they would have a greater incentive to create a plan that is good and fair for everyone.

The school purchased a policy from an insurer to cover a catastrophic event up to $5 million dollars. That is a lot of money, and I am sure the policy was priced to the school based on the fact that the insurer may have to pay out $5 million. The school no doubt could have purchased an even larger policy, but the price would have been much higher. The insurance company is not at fault here. They were obligated to pay out up to $5 million and that's what they did. They absolutely met their obligation.

While I feel really bad for the family, the things that are happening at this point seem to be the right things. Private donations, businesses stepping up, individuals helping out.

I love how posters keep talking about "if the Republicans had their way" yatta-yatta; you do realize that Dems had the Senate, Congress and the WH for TWO years and did nothing to change this medical scam! History shows both the Dems and Reps have had the majority back-n-forth and have done nothing to change the medical scam! Both parties need to get the boot or the medical scam will continue. Today, medical costs are at the height they are now because Dems and Reps have been in the ruling; nothing has changed. Lawyers are sue happy and insurance companies care only for billion dollar profits. It would be naive to think insurance companies could survive without profit but not billion dollar profits like the gas corporations.

You do realize that every such attempt by the democrats in the Senate was blocked by the GOP using their famous filibuster weapon?

Rocky Clark's poignant story and situation is in stark contrast to the billion$ of dollar$ insurance company profiteer$ are raking in. This is but one one of the reasons Republicans and lobbyists for the insurance companies and corporate America were against the 'public option' in the Obama plan.

The only care remaining for this young man is via any state plan available to him where he lives, or an increased Medicaid supplement. Good wishes and Godspeed to Mr. Clark and to his family. We must all embrace the belief that when one is extended a hand up, we all benefit!

Rocky Clark's poignant story and situation is in stark contrast to the billion$ of dollar$ insurance company profiteer$ are raking in.

Since when is making money a crime? The insurance company sold a product that would pay up to $5 million dollars in the event of some catastrophe. A catastrophe happened, and guess what? They paid out $5 million! Don't demonize them. They did exactly as they had promised. If you want to demonize someone, why not blame the school for not buying a bigger policy? I am sure the school could have paid more money to buy more insurance.

yeh, cause schools have unlimited resources..... oh wait, they have had cuts for years and years and people like you and who you vote for are going after funding for schools with even deeper and deeper cuts so that the rich and corporations don't have to pay as much in taxes! but it's the schools fault as opposed to a terrible system of for profit health care and ins. companies who are raking in billions while we are all getting worse and worse care for more and more money! how clueless can you be?

A friend of mine ended up with heart problems and diabetes with no insurance. She was immediately put into medicaid which will turn to medicare next year. She pays nothing for her meds and had a defibrilator implanted. I have insurance and have a lot of out of pocket expenses for my meds and healthcare. Who is the fool here? I paid forever for insurance and still pay over $300 a year for medicare, medicine insurance and a supplemental policy. She has pain nothing in and receives more benefits than I do.

You bemoan the fact that your friend receives more benefits than you do? Stop and think about the fact that she has "ended up with heart problems and diabetes." That's not such an enviable position to be in!

Who's the fool here? The fool is the one who complains about paying premiums for health insurance and not getting to collect any benefits. When you buy homeowners insurance, do you hope for a fire so you can collect the benefits you paid for? Stop bellyaching just because you're fortunate enough to be in good health.

Alan Grayson — at the time, a freshman Democrat from a competitive district, was seeing all of the GOP's attacks against Health Care Reform ever since Obama got voted into the Oval Office, while the Insurance Industry began paying the GOP millions in lobbying and contributions specifically to run the proposed reforms into the ground -- so it was Grayson of whom was given his chance at the podium, and he courageously yelled out to to all of Congress that the first part of the GOP approach to health care is: "Don't get sick. If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly!"

www.huliq.com/3257/87162/alan-grayson-gop-health-plan-dont-get-sick

Dr. Charles Beck... wrote a letter to the school and insurance company, claiming "the loss of these benefits eventually is going to lead to his demise."

Wrong. The lack of insurance will not lead to his demise. The lack of medical care will lead to his demise. The doctor points the finger at the insurance company for being uncaring by not continuing to fund his medical treatments. But yet the doctor alludes to the fact that if there is no money, there will be no treatment.

Taking the profit out of an industry is same as taking the pay out of your job. You might love your job, but how long would most of us last investing 40 hours a week with no "profit" for the services we provide. It would be also difficult for a company to spend m/billions on research for a cure, for example, if there were no way it could recoup those costs. That company wouldn't be around long. Profit isn't evil. Rich people aren't more evil than poor people (or vice-versa). This young man needs help and aid. He has fallen between the cracks. But it isn't because profit is a bad thing. I pray for him and will follow-up on this story to see if there is some kind of custodial account or trust set-up for his expenses that we/I can contribute to. Just because I believe companies need profit to stay in business doesn't mean I'm against charity, aid or assistance...we need all of these things.

But yet the doctor alludes to the fact that if there is no money, there will be no treatment.

So the doctor should treat him for free? The doctor should work for nothing? Why don't you send your paychecks to the family and you work for free so they can have healthcare, because that is what you are asking the doctor to do. The sad fact here is that it costs a LOT of money for treatments like this, and for the money to come from the government, it has to come from thousands of people who go to work everyday to pay taxes. I know it sounds crass and uncaring, but society cannot afford to pay everyone's catastrophic healthcare claims. There are NO easy answers.

I have a brother-in-law who's sister was slipped something at a party when she was 17 years old and she fell into a comma. She was in it for some 17 years before she died. The parents took care of her at home, around the clock. It ruled their lives and was a huge sacrifice, but that is what they needed to do. They didn't even have the $5 million in insurance care. They had a network of friends and family who could help out, but again they never saw it as the government's obligation or the insurance company's obligation to give them money for her care. I feel really bad for this young man and for his family. I really do. But it is no one's direct obligation to keep funding the care.

Um everyone crying for a single payer system...this is exactly what happened in a single payer system. He was on the public school's state-run insurance program. He was not denied by a private insurer. The government insurance decided his life was not worth renewing $5M policy. In addition, he thought he was going to be taken care of for life having paid nothing into said system. That's how single payer works, they do their cost-benefit calculation and if you're on the losing side, sorry. If his parents had been wise enough to put him on their private ins. plan, he would not have made the news because they'd still be paying his support.

I agree that our HC system is flawed and needs major changes, but changing WHO pays does not solve WHAT we are paying for...to think otherwise is silly and ignorant. Stop crying "single payer" when you don't really understand what all that entails, because single payer is not even close to the answer. Hint: education is, research is, diagnostics is, cost-effectiveness is. Insurance is not.

Why?

Why should we Americans have to leave our own country in order to get affordable quality health care?

Because we can't get past the idea that Corporations, even those who give us health care, are entitled to unlimited profits. So the profits rise and we pay.

In Germany workers sit on the boards of corporations and they don't ship millions upon millions of their best jobs overseas!

"Workers should own the corporations!" - joe hill

You clearly do not understand. ICHIP and programs like it are for children. He is now 27 years old, and even the minimal amount that Medicaid will cover is not going to keep this boy alive NOW, much less after the "block grants" ....read that. money that can be diverted to pet projects by denying people like this young man care because of expense....take effect and replace traditional Medicaid, which is minimal care at best. as it stands.

Wrong Retired RN. As a Nurse myself I have taken care of many a people, Adults and Children who cost the system MILLIONS of dollars. They are given 24hr nurse care and they are given everything needed. Who are you kidding, What do you want? to also give him a paycheck for the rest of his life? I think the MILLIONS we will spend taking care of him for the rest of his life is enough.

Which state do you live in? Different state different level of care. If skilled nursing is needed he will probably have to go to a nursing home. Sick people do not need someone there to hold their hand all day, just several minutes or hours at most. That would also benefit his mother by relieving her of all the responsibilities that being a solo care giver inflicts on one person. We the people should get the same level of health coverage as the best covered Congressman gets, nothing more, nothing less. The love of money ...

But they are not given 24 hour care at home. The only way this kid will get 24 hour care, and even then it won't be at the level required to keep him healthy, is if he goes into a nursing home.

Now, YOU may think that is appropriate for a 27 year old, but I don't. It's one thing if someone becomes disabled because of their choice to drive drunk or overdose on drugs, but this young man was playing HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL! High school athletes play with the equipment provided by the school, and they pretty much don't have another option. It is well known and has been for many years that the equipment that most, if not all, schools provide is far below the standard required to prevent this kind of injury, and the athletic departments typically receive far and above more discretionary funding than any other extracurricular program (yes, I said it, high school does not exist for football although that's difficult to tell at times) so where does the money go if not to buy top notch protective gear for these kids?

Professional football players are tackled this hard and harder every day, plus have a half dozen human mountains piled up on top of them on a regular basis. When was the last time you heard of one of them becoming a paraplegic, much LESS a quadriplegic?

I've said it on other threads, and I'll say it here. No matter how healthy your lift choices are, no matter what you do or don't do, everyone is one second away from a permanently disabling injury. People who think spending what time this kid has left in a nursing home bed is a tolerable life need to consider how THEY would feel if it were them.

I have lived in may States as an Army nurse. And again he will be taken care of in the tune of MILLIONS. What more do you want???

The cost of health care is the problem. It is unaffordable. Except for members of Congress of course who would be taken care of the rest of their lives if they incurred a permanently disabling injury. But the rest of us, not even soldiers, we don't deserve such care although we likely pay more for our health care than they do.

It's really scary to be faced with needing to die to spare your family health care bills and financial ruin.

To Buffalo Bob.

Our neighbor lived for over 25 years in his home with his wife and an aide. They had a generator for power failures and hardly ever had to go to a hospital. He used a computer by using eye movements. He was a quad. So don't say they never live long.

Medic, ICHIP is Illinois CHILDRENS Health Insurance Plan. This young man is 27. Further, he is not eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance as suggested by someone further down the thread because he was a student and had not worked a minimum of 20 quarters prior to becoming disabled. He may or may not qualify for SSI, which is currently under $700 a month, depending on assets and other issues.

Do I think he made a good choice when he decided to put on that helmet? No, but I don't think it is a good choice for any kid. However, I have to respect the fact that he elected to put on the helmet and work hard rather than being a contributor to any of the crack addicted babies we've both dealt with by choosing to sell drugs rather than work hard.

Retired RN-439841 - Go and look up the names Darryl Stingley, Dennis Byrd, Mike Utley, and Reggies Brown. They are all NFL players left paralyzed.

I'm sure there are more to add to that list.....working ER for so many years, I don't have much use for contact sports and don't keep up.....but again, protective gear should protect, and I'm fairly certain that these pros had and have access to much better care than this kid. For them, it's a career choice made by an adult. For him, it was a bid to better his life by a bad choice that is frequently seen by talented young athletes, particularly those with dark skin, as opposed to taking other less successful and less fortunate paths. (And before you jump, no I'm not back. I'm merely commenting on what I see.)

Retired RN

Contrary to what you stated, iChip stands for "Illinois Comprehensive Insurance Plan". It is not just for children. The internet makes many things easy to check out. See here...

http://www.chip.state.il.us/default.htm

My daughter is 29 years old and I pay her $450 iChip premium every month. The plan is administered for the state by Blue-Cross of Illinois.

Retired RN-439841 - You have no idea exactly how this injury occurred, so you have no authority to compare this kid's injury to one suffered by a professional player. You don't have a clue as to how hard he was tackled, exactly what position he was in when tackled, or any of the other variables that can affect the severity of the injury that he sustained. So, give it a break, and stop being no negative in the process. Do you enjoy repeatedly stating that this young man is doomed? You must, because you have posted that statement more than once.

ICHIP is for people over the age of 18. For kids the sate of Illinois has All Kids. Actually the ICHP plan is very good, if your COBA has run out and you have a letter of denial from a private health insurance company.

However, if he is elegible for any other insurance at all he will not get ICHP, regardless of the cost. I worked with a women whose 25 yr old daughter had severe head trauma as a child, and although she can breathe on her own and eat semi solid food, she can do nothing for herself. The family was eligible for insurance through the fathers job, but it cost $3200 per month for the insurance to cover the dependent child. They tried to get ICHP, which would have been about $400 a month, but were denied because they were elegible for the other insurance. How many of you could afford a monthly premium of $3200. The choice was for the father to quit he good job, and find a company that had no health insurance, thereby leaving the paremnts with no health coverage.

As a licensed health/life insurance agent in the state of IL I could tell you lots of horror stories out there like this poor young man. Our system is flawed and awful, and I have decided to no longer be an isurance agent because I can no longer deal with the way people are treated by health insuranc companies.

No, cscales, I don't enjoy it at all. However, as an independent disability advocate with clients all over the country, something I began doing on a volunteer basis after stopping nursing, I see the results of denied care every single day.

It's not a happy view, but it's what people with disabilities face at the best of times and one I try to help them improve. The new cuts and proposed cuts have caused so much harm just in anticipation that the reality is going to be grim indeed.

just love to twist things around do ya !

Got a cite for that claim (that Obama didn't want his grandmother to have more than "comfort care") AND in context?

We can wait.

No, that is not what President Obama was referring to. He was saying, when old people are bedridden etc already, the notion of doing hip surgery that will not get them out of bed, for instance, isn't the right thing to do.

Please understand what it is you are talking about instead of repeating these kinds of things from Fox etc. You are getting false info.

Wow, your a real lowlife. His grandmother had TERMINAL cancer. You conveniently forgot that fact. Evidently you've never heard of palliative treatment. You would make a fine soulless corporate creep.

being a quad is terminal. they cannot live for long due to respiratory complications. look at christopher reeve. even with his unlimited funds he succumed to complications. and a major part of all health care costs is malpractice/liability insurance. those costs are driven by constant law suits by ambulance chasers. and the dems refused to discuss tort reform.

Hey WJ Miller;

All I can add to your prophetic voice is — AMEN

In The Bible, The Republican Politician Version (similar to the King James Version but with poor spelling), Jesus tells us the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

He dropped off the injured man, made sure he called his insurance company, filled out 172 forms while he suffered on the gurney, and then went on his way... a hero.

Hey parallel...

Obama" I don’t know how much that hip replacement cost. I would have paid out of pocket for that hip replacement just because she’s my grandmother." "If somebody told me that my grandmother couldn’t have a hip replacement and she had to lie there in misery in the waning days of her life — that would be pretty upsetting."

"And it’s going to be hard for people who don’t have the option of paying for it."

"So that’s where I think you just get into some very difficult moral issues. But that’s also a huge driver of cost, right?

I mean, the chronically ill and those toward the end of their lives are accounting for potentially 80 percent of the total health care bill out here."

Excerpt taken from the NYT. Shoot the messenger, so much easier than dealing with the message. So far his term has seen rates skyrocket, Docs bailing, prescriptions getting harder to fill (so many companies have stopped making different prescriptions), and even if you have health insurance now you may not have it next year.

GLENBO" Why the sarcasm and snotty remark.

Yes, unltimately "Obama Care" as you cretins like to refer to it as, will help people in this situation. That is, unless the blood sucking opportunists don't totally destroy it. You sound almost regretful that someone in a terrible situation like this would be helped. Surely you don't expect the insurance companies to show people any mercy, do you? This notion that free enterprise will conquer all is a lot of nonsense. As I like to remind my Repubublican friends, Ayn Rand accepted Medicare and Social Security.

@ Parallelcooler: Glad you waited

Got a cite for that claim (that Obama didn't want his grandmother to have more than "comfort care") AND in context?

I don't have the claim about his grandmother (though it is mentioned in this clip) but here is where he said that "spirit" and will to live really can't be taken into account when determining whether or not to provide ongoing medical treatment. It's still appropriate though because what we are really talking about here is should there be a monetary ceiling value on life so. And when that is the standard, diferences between Rocky here and this woman's mother disappear....taking a cue form el Presidente, we need to look at it as an investment, right?

He specifically talks about running out of insurance money...so his thoughts are applicable to the guy in this article and he very clearly articulates in favor of withholding treatments when there is little chance of improvement.

"you know what? maybe this isn't gonna help. Maybe you're better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller." -President Obama regarding life extending treatment.

youtube.com/watch?v=xJYvaLS-xOw

Sh*t happens Rocky. It's unfortunate, but we need to start looking into end of life care for you because you're just not getting better and President Obama thinks it's not a smart decision to keep tossing money onto the fire! Your spirit and will to live just don't figure into the decision on whether or not you'll get treatment.

Now, those of you who have nothing else to say will argue that "well, this guy is young and she was old though, it's different." No, it's not. We know the old woman lived at least 5 years with treatment and we know that Rocky lived 10. We know that they both would have died without the treatment they received so, the only real difference is age. Do you think age discrimination is ok?

So yes, withholding medical treatment is as much a lib strategy as it is a republican strategy to be pro business and allow insurance to drop treatment. Obama even admits it's the same thing. None is holier so please stop the self righteous partisan crap!

You are not a christian either as per your ranting about the reps. I am a christian and have pity in my heart for a person like you. Too bad that you'll never see heaven.

@ Ozzie:

Yes, unltimately "Obama Care" as you cretins like to refer to it as, will help people in this situation.

Actually, no, according to Obama. He seems to believe in the law of diminishing returns. That's really what is being talked about here:

youtube.com/watch?v=xJYvaLS-xOw

Sorry, but Obama is all for giving Rocky a pill and making the "tough decision."

Ayn Rand accepted Medicare and Social Security.

proof please...ever hear of mandatory enrollment?

He has health insurance - Medicare (ie us) will be on the hook for the rest of his life for his care. He just doesn't have the private plan anymore.. Medicare like all health insurance have limits on what they cost. Most private plans (for individuals) for example onlly cover $5,000 for rehab. Only a very few very wealthy people like Christopher Reeves had can afford high quality around the clock care.

Just because his mom and friends are able to use the media better then most doesn't mean he is any more needy or deserving than anyone else with a traumatic injury like this.

NONKO: Oh, I see, the devil made her do it.

She had the option of turning it down. Guess all that "Big Government" stuff wasn't all that bad.

But since you feel so strongly about it, why don't you lobby your Republican congressman & senators to give up their "Big Government" health care which is actually trying to kill them, according to you. See how far you get with that. Quick, call Paul Ryan and let him know your plan for helping to balance the budget.

Man, you folks are something else. Dubya (with a Republican House and Senate) spends un into ruin with 2 unfunded wars, take breaks for the wealty and a completely unfunded medicare drug plan and now your boys have suddenly found religion and want to reign in spending. Interesting timing. I never heard boo for the 8 miserable years of Bush's administration, the about 15 minutes after Obama was sworn in, you start screaming about runaway spending.

Ozzie, Make sense. The devil made who do what?

Did you completely miss Obama talking about making the "tough decisions" and suggesting that end of life care might be a more fiscally sound option than providing continuing treatment for certain conditions. Now, I'll grant you, it does require a bit of comprehension (which you seem to lack) but Obama is in fact talking about witholding treatment the same way as if an insurance policy ran out. What do you not understand about that?

You can try to muddy the waters by bringing up "Dubya" and "unfunded wars"and whatever other shotgun style approach you have to losing an argument (and trust me, you are losing publicly and spectacularly). It doesn't change the fact that the guy in this article should not get ongoing treatment according to our current president!

I never heard boo for the 8 miserable years of Bush's administration, the about 15 minutes after Obama was sworn in, you start screaming about runaway spending

Maybe that's because in less than one term president Obama has added almost $5 trillion to the national debt. The debt ceiling has been raised 6 TIMES since Dems captured control of Congress in 2006. That's a matter of public record! Look it up! They have raised it from $8.965 trillion to the current $14.294 trillion. Again. It's public record so look it up.

Even when "Dubya" was in the White House, from 2006-08, he doesn't get to spend anything but what the Democratic House and Senate allow him to. So you can get off your high horse about unfunded wars. If it was so important, why did Pelosi and Reid give Bush money for 2 more years and then give Obama money for the first 2 years of his presidency! The "unfunded war" crap is just a reflection of your inability to think so be very careful. If you'd like to pursue our current tack, by all means, keep saying stupid things. Otherwise, my advice to you is pretend you "missed" this response and just fade away.

BTW, I'm still waiting for you to prove your Ayn Rand claim. You can't.

Bob, and others who have been fortunate enough to never experience the kind of anguish that having a disabled child/parent/cousin/spouse/you fill in the blanks:

Yes, by your definition, this kid is terminal. What you are not taking into account is that by true definition living is terminal. From the moment we draw that very first breath we begin the process of dying. The interim, however, contains a lot of latitude, and far MORE latitude if you are able to access appropriate medical care.

Now, that's the REAL argument here, the real argument in this entire issue. The problem is that the definition of appropriate is a very personal one, but generally speaking it is an issue between the haves and the have nots.

Medical care does not have to be even remotely as expensive as it currently is, or as it has been for at least fifty years. I'm not going to argue that nurses don't get paid anything remotely close to what they deserve even before you factor in all the hazards of nursing. It's been true for as long as I have had any part in the profession, and that was sometime around the time when dirt was a rock.

It's a many headed monster, and unfortunately the folks who KNOW where the abuses are and how to clean them up aren't the ones who get any input into the solution. Until that happens, and I'm certainly not holding my breath for that, it's not going to get any better.

Oh, and that's even if you factor in paying nurses as much as autoworkers make, which ALSO isn't going to happen!

What happened to the repeal of coverage limits in the new Obama care? The issue in this case is that the insurance covering this young man is not continuing to care for his life. Why not? He was playing under the insurance of the school district, I would think they would have to cover him for life, not just 5 million dollars worth.

Too bad that you'll never see heaven.

Silverbutterfly - Aren't "Christians" taught not to judge others, lest ye be judged? You are like every other so called "Christan" out there. You think you are better than the rest of mankind. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Aren't you a little concerned that you won't "see heaven" because you are so judgemental and hateful toward others?

Tort reform? Do you really believe that when someone is paralyzed they shouldn't be able to sue for damages? Most of these tort reform schemes, which is nothing but corporate welfare for the insurance industry, cap damages at $10,000 to $50,000. Under so called tort reform this person would of been given $50,000 and a oh well. Do you believe when doctors, for example, the maniac doctor Desai Depak : http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/feb/29/nevada-clinic-reused-syringes/ are guilty of malpractice they shouldn't pay for it?

Anywayz, America dioesn't need anymore welfare for the insurance industry. An industry that doesn't give a damn about anyone in the country except themselves. That brings me to Obamacare, which is currently law. So, I have to question how with Obamacare this 27 year old doesn't have insurance? Why can't the schools buy insurance? Oh, let me guess Obamacare doesn't exactly work as claimed.

Which takes me back to the first point, we don't need more welfare for the insurance industry.

cshells, and what happiness is that???

wrong focus word :) the pursuit of happiness, not the guarantee of happiness.

combat medic, if you don't know what happiness is, pity you, boohooooooo.

Happiness is to me taking care and saving lives. I THANK EVERYDAY THAT I CAME BACK FROM COMBAT ALIVE. and for the ones THAT I COULD NOT SAVE. Whats in YOUR wallet???

CombatMedic69: Happiness is to me taking care and saving lives. I THANK EVERYDAY THAT I CAME BACK FROM COMBAT ALIVE. and for the ones THAT I COULD NOT SAVE. Whats in YOUR wallet??? #7.4 - Sun May 15, 2011 1:45 PM EDT
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Good for you and thank you for your service, also!
Where I was so long ago, South Pacific, 1942-45, you guys were the favorite target of Jap snipers right after Squad Leaders. Took one full in the chest and the Medic that finally got to me saved my bacon for me but he took a hell of a chance getting there and we both knew it! Tough assignment, I don't think that I could do it. I need my gun! Thanks again from an old war dog.

Wow, FlNutmegger! 1942-45. People of your generation who served in WWII are becoming more and more difficult to find.

Thank you for your service and dedication in a hell that I can't even begin to imagine. You are a true hero.

As a physician who takes care of dying people, I would make the following comments:

1) The politicians are using this to the max and it is truely disgusting. I'm talking to both sides here.

2) I can't imagine us letting people suffer. The hip issue is complex. If the femur broke because it was full of tumor, a hip replacement isn't going to work. It would be like trying to hang something heavy on drywall using a screw without a screw anchor. It's just going to pull out the first time it is stressed. The residual bone is going to be too weak to hold anything. Plus, the surgery to replace the hip might kill the patient itself. The last time I checked, we all die sometime. I don't think it has changed. If it did, I missed that article. On the other hand, if there was a reasonable chance that the hip replacement would work, and the patient is stable enough for surgery, then by all means, replace the hip. This would be the situation if a healthy older person fell and broke the hip. You've got to use your common sense on these situations, and some of these decisions are not easy. However, if I'm 95 and have a terminal disorder, don't you dare take me to a hospital. Just keep me comfortable at home. You have to learn to recognize when the game is over.

3) The real question is "When is there no reasonable chance for a reasonable quality of life with further therapy?" Families can be very unreasonable about this. I have seen numerous situations where families did not want to lose 95 year old Grandpa (Who does?) who had a terminal disease, e.g. cancer, ALS, etc., be so afraid of this that they pushed the patient to undergo painful and useless therapy with little chance of any benefit. In these situations, even the patient did not want any more therapuetic measures. What these families need is effective counselling to deal with the loss. If you think that having unlimited money is going to let you beat God and nature, you are sorely mistaken. Much of this argument is about being powerless, not insurance. The old belief that if we just keep trying, we'll beat it, is totally incorrect in many situations. It just doesn't work like that.

4) We are terrible at predicting how long people are going to live. We need more research in this area to guide decision making. I have seen many patients live far longer than I thought they would, and many who I though were going to go a while who died quickly. I refuse to give anyone a precise answer to this question. If I could do this, I'd either be at the casino or the stock market!

5) Half of the health care expenditures are made in the last 30 days of life. As I note above, we have little ability to predict when this 30 days starts. If we could, I'd say that when the 30 day clock starts, then it is only comfort measures after that. This could include a new hip if appropriate. Just nothing that is "Dumb" if you have less than 30 days to live. Sometimes, I yearn for the simplicity of the days when we were not so good at keeping dying people alive on ventilators. I sure don't want to go on one myself unless there is a really, really good reason. When does "treatment" turn into "torture"? A new hip, if appropriate, is not torture. Useless radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery is. Despite being advised against it, I have seen many people undergo useless therapy without benefit, and be sorry for it later. Remember two axioms. One is that "No situation is so bad it can't be made worse." and the other is that "If you want surgery, chemo, radiation, etc., if you go to enough doctors, you will eventually find someone who will do it to you, even if it is a terrible idea.". It's amazing how people will go to five smart doctors who tell them not to do something, and then find a sixth doctor, who is willing to do it ($$$?). The sixth Doctor is suddenly a genius (for a while) and the first five doctors are idiots (for a while). The truth eventually plays out. Again, this argument is about mortality, power, money, and control, not insurance. It is definitely NOT a rational argument. I think one of our problems is trying to treat these issues like they are rational. They are no more rational than humans.

6) We cannot afford the absolute best of everything for everybody all the time. Without going into a lengthy economic analysis, at some point we need to be satisfied with "Good Enough", whatever that is.

7) There is a tremendous amount of corruption in medicine. My own observations are that the corporations and Congress are the worst, Doctors and Nurses, the least. I don't think I'm just defending my own profession, and I'm not saying there are not corrupt doctors. However, how do you explain the fact that the Republicans who wrote Medicare Part D restricted the government from bargaining with the drug companies, e.g., the government pretty much pays them what they ask. The Representative who was largely responsible for writing the bill left Congress the next year and became the highest paid lobbyist in history, for, guess who? The pharmaceutical industry. The VA, who can bargain, pays about 52% what Medicare part D pays for the same mix of drugs. Medicare Part D costs about 80 Billion dollars a year. If we assume that most of that is for purchasing drugs, then it means that we are paying about an extra 40 Billion dollars/year to the drug industry. This is a rough estimate, but a huge number. There are lots of these situations in healthcare. By the way, physicians don't see a penny of this money. If congress was really serious about cutting the budget, don't you think they would have addressed this welll known situation? Their hypocrisy makes me want to puke! If you doubt what I write, Google something like "Drug costs to VA versus drug costs to Medicare Part D" and "Total annual cost of Medicare Part D to the government" You might have to tweak the search terms a bit to avoid getting ads for Medicare Part D policies, but eventually, you will find the data from reliable sources.

Tired, time to go to bed.

Thank you. I appreciate your response, Near-Retirement.

shadyrok, Sue for what?? The insurance has already paid 5 MILLION DOLLARS. He chose a sport which carries an inherent danger to his life. That was his choice no one forced him.

Go to Iraq and get your ass blown up and come back wounded. Maybe you'll have more compassion.

Kerbee, how is that statement related to this story or this comment thread at all? This kid wasn't wounded fighting for his country he was playing football. Even the title is informative enough on that point.

Kerbee, If your talking to me I have been there and done that. I also have injuries. I will continue helping people until I drop dead. so what makes you think I have no compassion? We are going to spend MILLIONS to take of him the rest of hie life. WHAT MORE DO YOU PEOPLE WANT?????

The problem is the insurance doctors have to carry. Lawyers ruined the medical profession with malpractice laws. Everyone is out for a buck.

A cure for greed? A noble cause that Jesus saw as the ruination of his creation, MAN. Greed has always been around and will continue, IT IS THE PUNISHMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT PUNISHMENT THAT MAY SOMEDAY HELP HUMANITY. Now some will say "greed is good, it is human nature, this all is true, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS IN SOCIETY THAT IS FROWNED UPON AND SHUNNED, LIKE PUBLIC NUDITY, CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, MURDER, AND A LOT OF OTHERS. We manage to punish those responsible when caught, and resolve to do better, but without meaningful restraints on some aspects of society there will be no peace, there will be no fairness, there WILL BE GREED. When found that person should be disgraced, publicly humiliated, set aside with a big "G" on their chest for everyone to see AND TREAT ACCORDINGLY. It seems " DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE UN TO YOU" IS NOT ENOUGH A DETERRENT, MAY BE THE MENTIONED ACTIONS ARE. As for "caps" on insurance" if a company offers a "limit on liability" to a governmental agency or public institution that limit must be waived for such cases. If not then that company must donate 100 million (PER INSTANCE) to a fund for such patients and take out ad's in all local news reporting agency's for one month stating their REASON for not covering this person and acknowledging themselves the cause for this person's hardship and subsequent death. May be then these insurance company's will actually try to hold down the cost of their providers, INSTEAD OF MARKING UP THE COST OF CARE.

That's a great idea. And then, once the profits are out of medicine we can save government money by shutting down all the medical schools at public universities because no one is going to take out $200k in loans to be a doctor.

Congratulations, now that we've taken your advice, in 25 years your kid is going to die from what used to be a routine appendectomy. Why? Oh, because "nobility" doesn't pay the bills.

Of course now you can always blame the fact that there are no doctors on things like mortgage banks and grocery stores, because if folks didn't have to worry about paying for food and shelter, they could undertake noble pursuits.....like medicine.

Do ya see how dumb your idea is?

The road to becoming a Doctor, Medical scientist, Pharmacist, etc. is brutal and filled with debt. If you couldn't make enough to at least pay off your loans, and have job security, and a moderately comfortable lifestyle no one in their right mind would ever consider doing it.

What about the administrators, advertisers, business consultants, CEOs, financial managers, marketing agencies, pharmaceutical reps, business representatives, and bureaucratic paper pushers?

No one said make doctors and scientists eat leather shoes... Jesus CHRIST people are NUTJOBS.

Google search- 95 seconds worth of research:

"Executives and shareholders of the five biggest for-profit health insurers, Unitedhealth group inc., WellPoint inc., aetna inc., humana inc., and Cigna Corp., enjoyed combined profit of $12.2 billion in 2009, up 56 percent from the previous year." (In case we don't understand, a billion dollars is one-thousand times a million. A million dollars is 25 times the average salary in America. To a normal person, that's twelve thousand and two rich life times those companies made, in one year.)

And in 2010?

"Some of the chief executives (in other words, no one worth a damn to your health) at the country's seven largest publicly traded health insurance companies saw their own economic recovery in 2010, earning total compensation from $6.1 million to more than $20 million.

"In 2010 the company [Healthnet] had a net profit of $ 204,200,000."

"LONDON (MarketWatch) -- HumanaHUM -0.22% said that its fourth-quarter (as in, just part of a year) net profit rose to $250.7 million"

According to the Physicians for a National Health Care Program:

"The rationing that takes place in U.S. health care is unnecessary. A number of studies (notably a General Accounting Office report in 1991 and a Congressional Budget Office report in 1993) show that there is more than enough money in our health care system to serve everyone if it were spent wisely. Administrative costs are at 31% of U.S. health spending, far higher than in other countries’ systems. These inflated costs are due to our failure to have a publicly financed, universal health care system. We spend about twice as much per person as Canada or most European nations, and still deny health care to many in need. "

Having worked in medical billing, I can tell you that the doctor's I worked for, weren't 'rollin in the money'. Say a Dr. does a physical, which takes 40 minutes to an hour. They charged insurance company $80 for the physical (or an hour's worth of the doctor's pay), but it doesn't matter. Because all the insurance companies have gotten together and set comparable rates they are willing to pay. So the doctor bills for an hour of work, but only received $20 back from the insurance company. So the doctor, the receptionist, the nurse, and everyone else who helped check that patient, are now at a loss.

It's not the doctors who are stealin' all your money, it's the insurance companies. They don't pay rates that are worthwhile, so doctors schedule more and more patients to try to cover the losses.

igloo, if all the profit was taken out of medical care, it wouldn't help Rocky at all. I guess he could get a ten percent discount on a three million dollar medical bill, so his family would only have to pay two million seven hundred thousand. That would not help Rocky, and it would lead to destroying insurance coverage for all of us.

igloo, If it wasnt for our current medical system the person would not be alive today, Advances in the Medical field have us in a sort of quagmire. He will spend the rest of his life unable to do anything, if you think the system is greedy having already spent 5 MILLION DOLLARS and more to come WTH. That is not being greedy. He will get medicaid but will it be enough for people like you? probably not. Whatmore do you want?? Do you want us to pay off his moms mortgage?? Maybe give both of them a workers paycheck for the rest of their lives? What more do you people want???

COMBATMED; So you think our 'For Profit' medical system is so great, eh?

The facts don't bear that out I'm afraid. Our infant mortality rate is around 25th of the world's nations as our most of our other medical criteria. Some things should not be for profit. We don't expect our police force's or fire departments turn a profit. Nor do we expect our MILITARY to make a profit. Sadly, my Republican cousines have chosin to forget the words of Dwight Eisenhower who warned against the growth of the "Military, Industrial Complex" because our military has turned into a profit generating system in a big way.

Ozzie yes it is for the simple fact that there are so many addicted children taken to full term or preemie. That is one of the things people tend to overlook. As an example I took care of a Crack baby it was 1 MILLION to take him out of the hospital on a vent. Then we will pay someone to take him in and 24hr nurse cars. The system pays MILLIONS of dollars on 1 Person and is still not enough for some of you. WAKE UP. We do spend the money on people that need it. But some of you say it is not enough. DONATE YOUR OWN PAYCHECK NOT MINE.

@ Ozzie:

Statistics are funny things. Here's something you might want to do. Take a look at the top countries according to the lowest infant mortality rate...

THEN

Pull up world statistics for population growth and see where the best countries for infant mortality fall on the growth chart.

Something should jump put at you but I won't give you the answer for nothing because you obviously need to work on your statistical analysis skills!

CombatMedic69: Our current healthcare system is out of control and is in serious need of repair.

The insurance companies will make huge profits this year. Most people, who can afford coverage, have seen double digit increases in their premiums for several years. Many Americans have lost their jobs, can't afford insurance and/or have taken big pay cuts...yet insurers are enjoying enormous profits.

The net effect is that many uninsured will be funneled into Medicaid, and, as you know, we all pay for that. Your paycheck is already donating to a heartless system that is full of corruption, greed and abuse. Your paycheck is donating to fat cats, who could care less about health of US citizens, only about making more money.

As another Viner mentioned, more of the same capitalism will not cure our ailing health care system.

COMBAT MED & NONJO; I've got an idea. How bout a few less stupid, unnecessary wars and maybe we can provide for our own citizens. The only time you folks like "Big Government" is when it helps you personally or when we decide to invade another country. Then it's great, right?

Ozzie, I got an idea...how about you not avoid my previous point. What's the matter? Are you having a hard time coming up with more than a post-kindergarten response?

Would you like to redact your foolish "infant mortality" ploy? Try to stay on topic please. This is about the medical system, not war.

Ozzie, If you think that I love the fact that I HAD TO TAKE LIVES you are sick. I save lives everyday and I do not need an A$$hole like you to tell me what I have to dream about every night. Go back to your hole until you can have an adult conversation. Soldiers do not love war.

I have found over a very long life that those of us who can lay claim to not only combat but combat injuries are the world's greatest pacifists. Nothing gets your blood stirring like the sound of a bullet zinging past you ears unless it is to sudden find youself on you backside and saying I'm hit!

Why isn't anyone calling out nonjko up there? You laid out a challenge, I took it. I'm not sure YOU understand the statistics you're asking him to look at.

The U.N. actually placed the U.S. worse than 25- that was in '98. We are now at 33rd for infant mortality rates. (Unless you look at the CIA World Factbook list, in which case, we've sunk to 46th in the world.)

Every other country but two on the list who have lower infant mortality rates also HAVE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.

TEN countries on the list that have lower infant mortality rates than ours have HIGHER population growth.

4 of the countries that have slightly less population growth than us, but are still in the 130s (we place at 131), ALSO have a lower infant mortality rate. Iceland- 139 for population growth, number 1 for lowest infant mortality. Singapore? number 2 for lowest infant mortality, yet 18 places higher than us for population growth. Hong Kong is at 130 for population growth- nearly the same as the U.S., but is number 6 for lowest infant mortality rate. Shoot, Brunei has a better infant mortality rate and they're FORTY-EIGHTH in the world for population growth.

The U.S. is the only major economy without universal healthcare, and most of the more developed economies have adopted universal healthcare, too.

In 1980, we ranked 19th in the world for infant mortality. Since 1970, 18 fully industrialized countries have started universal healthcare, and all have lower infant morality rates.

And to that dweeb CombatMedic""69"", the CDC states this:

The three leading causes of infant mortality (congenital malformations, disorders related to short gestation and low birthweight, and sudden infant death syndrome) accounted for approximately 43% of all infant deaths in the United States in 2005.

According to their statistics, 3-4% of women in the U.S. use illicit substances during pregnancy. Not enough to explain the gap- we have FAR more than a 3-4% increase in infant deaths than the top 3 countries.

We have the HIGHEST per capita spending for health care in the world.

According to the CIA we rank 50th in the world for life expectancy, and of the 49 countries with longer life expectancies, only 13 don't have universal health care, and most of them are beautiful, vacation destination ISLANDS.

If people got their heads out of the sand, THEN MAYBE we could start having intelligent discussions. We are NOT the only country with good ideas, and maybe if we started trying out some good ideas, our country would be even better, stronger, and unified.

Why isn't anyone calling out nonjko up there? You laid out a challenge, I took it. I'm not sure YOU understand the statistics you're asking him to look at.

The U.N. actually placed the U.S. worse than 25- that was in '98. We are now at 33rd for infant mortality rates. (Unless you look at the CIA World Factbook list, in which case, we've sunk to 46th in the world.)

Every other country but two on the list who have lower infant mortality rates also HAVE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.

TEN countries on the list that have lower infant mortality rates than ours have HIGHER population growth.

4 of the countries that have slightly less population growth than us, but are still in the 130s (we place at 131), ALSO have a lower infant mortality rate. Iceland- 139 for population growth, number 1 for lowest infant mortality. Singapore? number 2 for lowest infant mortality, yet 18 places higher than us for population growth. Hong Kong is at 130 for population growth- nearly the same as the U.S., but is number 6 for lowest infant mortality rate. Shoot, Brunei has a better infant mortality rate and they're FORTY-EIGHTH in the world for population growth.

The U.S. is the only major economy without universal healthcare, and most of the more developed economies have adopted universal healthcare, too.

In 1980, we ranked 19th in the world for infant mortality. Since 1970, 18 fully industrialized countries have started universal healthcare, and all have lower infant morality rates.

And to that dweeb CombatMedic""69"", the CDC states this:

The three leading causes of infant mortality (congenital malformations, disorders related to short gestation and low birthweight, and sudden infant death syndrome) accounted for approximately 43% of all infant deaths in the United States in 2005.

According to their statistics, 3-4% of women in the U.S. use illicit substances during pregnancy. Not enough to explain the gap- we have FAR more than a 3-4% increase in infant deaths than the top 3 countries.

We have the HIGHEST per capita spending for health care in the world.

According to the CIA we rank 50th in the world for life expectancy, and of the 49 countries with longer life expectancies, only 13 don't have universal health care, and most of them are beautiful, vacation destination ISLANDS.

If people got their heads out of the sand, THEN MAYBE we could start having intelligent discussions. We are NOT the only country with good ideas, and maybe if we started trying out some good ideas, our country would be even better, stronger, and unified.

So his mother could get her house?

@Entited to My Opinion. You are an idiot. The article said that before his accident he wanted to become a pro athlete and that he would buy her a home. It is a sad day when any young person is hurt so badly and it is an even sadder day when their medical benefits end. Obviously you or your family have never faced a catastrophic illness. Obviously you have very little humanity towards your fellow man.

Crais P, I am not a personal injury attorney. I am an attorney though and have seen many instances of people taking advantage of others. I have seen it in my personal life with a family I mentioned in another post.

What is the point of this story? Does the author expect that people will come forward and donate to help this young man for the rest of his life? Of course not! This family will receive donations which will be spent on things insurance won't pay because they won't be medical related! The man assuredly already has the items he needs to be comfortable. You don't think all money bought his bed etc.? Dig deeper. Look past the tear jerking story.

I have donated considerably (as I can well afford to) when I am sure the funds will go to the cause and not the upkeep of the people running charities. This story is no different. I smell a house in the mom's future.

@ the one called "entitled."

You truly are an idiot.

I hope you are never dealing with the end of health insurance when you will still continue to need home nurses, respite for your own mother so she can actually breathe a breath away from you, physical therapy to halt complete atrophy, speech therapy, antibiotics, hospitalization when you have infections and lung clots, mechanics to fix various medical equipment when it fails, medications, and tons of unforeseeable needs for future medical care as your condition deteriorates with age and lack of needed services to keep you able to participate in life as much as possible considering your medical state.

However, like most of us, I'm sure you will have to see that day, in yourself or in someone you love, knowing full well the company that claims they've spent "enough" on you earns more than the GDP of small island nations.

He, and all of us, deserve universal health care that lasts for our lifetimes. We pay MORE than enough into our system to support it and all the other things human beings need to have a high quality of life.

But, you're right, let's continue to pay insane amounts of taxes to support inefficiency in our military, untouched by auditing and swallowing huge amounts of money with absolutely NO oversight, and work ourselves useless until we die decrepit deaths so that political and Wall Street heavy weights can wipe their asses with 24-karat gold tissue paper..

Rob you need to pay attention, There are safety nets in America and he will get the help he needs. Is it ever enough for you people?? NO. If you want to buy him and his mother a house than set up a fund, If you think I should be forced to, think again.

you, your greed and callousness toward other human beings is what is wrong with this country! I and many others give to those in need but it is not enough. our country needs safety nets for people like this. people don't care anymore about helping others or working to make our country better. it's all about ourselves. you don't want to pay taxes to help this man, or education our children etc etc. you already got what you need or haven't been unlucky enough to need this help, I guess, so to hell with everyone else? that seems to be many people's belief.

combat, if you read the article, you would know that the care has been greatly diminished since the insurance ran out. The reason this young man has been able to defy the odds and last as long as he has, and all involved agree, is because of the care he received over those 10 years. He would not have survived if he got the care you think he should get.

Palin was wrong about her death panels. They exist TODAY, and have existed for some time...and they are headed by the insurance companies who see everything in terms of $.

midnight, maybe you cannot see because of the dark. Do you have facts about the bottom line of all insurance companies, or are you spouting the liberal bs, instead of facts? Look up the profit margin for the insurance companies before you spout. Most are in the eight to ten percent range, just as the oil companies are.

das vet .......are you on meds? or do you not know how to read and just have false talking points?

The rest of us just sit back and laugh at your statement.

You didn't answer the question. Look up the profit margins for yourself, you wouldn't believe me anyway. Spouting about "record profits" while ignoring the profit margin is the way failed politicians try to get the spotlight off their failures. Is 10% an obscene profit? I don't think so. Like the oil companies being castigated for making 11 billion profit on sales of 114 billion.

But you seem to forget that Obama's plan has removed caps and lifetime limits; so when this takes effect, this problem will no longer exist.

"Chairman Obamao"? Really? And just how do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you sound like you're in the 5th grade?

I'm seriously getting tired of posters who think name-calling is a substitute for reasonable debate. Yes, it's been going on for a while now, but it's getting worse and it's just grating.

Obama doesn't think we should spend money when there's little chance of results.

youtube.com/watch?v=xJYvaLS-xOw

Like it or not...Obamacare or not...public option or not...insurance or not...Rocky is gonna get cut off. It's a tough truth, but it is the truth. People keep talking about insurance companies making money had over fist? Well, the government supposedly has way more money than the insurance companies...and they can force people to buy insurance...If it's really just a question of money, why do we have Obama talking about making "tough decisions", huh?

I'll tell you why. Because if everyone deserves good health care, the only way to make that happen is to not allow the few to have great health care. It's the ultimate race to the bottom and guys like Rocky have a headstart!

I have a friend who is a "quad," and believe me, that amount is NOT that outrageous! Until one has witnessed first hand the logistics of taking care of a quadriplegic, and all of the nursing and equipment required, you can't fully grasp the enormity of the expenses.

sunpigs....................I realize the cost is enormous................but they did mention that the first year (which is the critical and most expensive) cost $1 million. Seems to me that many are raking in the profits on the backs of this poor family. I was not questioning how much the bills were, I was asking"why."

Sorry....I simply read, quickly, and posted my comment before I caught the 2nd sentence of your statement.

quite a leap to blame congresswoman giffords. how bout placing your anger where it belongs....a country that is so dominated by profits, that they are quite often put before human life. Corporate America's underbelly they dont like us to see.

I think the anger and blame are not directed at Mrs. Giffords, but rather at the system that says that you are not good enough to receive the level of care that she does if you're not someone famous or wealthy.

You are wrong. She had nothing to do with setting up the health care plan government employees get. It was in place long before she was even born and yes she is just entitled to the care as this young man is. The difference is that the "Death Panel" ( the Insurance Company) made the decision and not the patient. Your post here is most disrespectful and out of line.While I doubt that you are, you should be ashamed of yourself for wishing the fate you described on her or any other human being.

If by chance you or yours should get shot in the head and survive, which I don't wish on you or anyone, you should be so lucky to have that coverage.

CRABBY: What the hell are you talking about??? Gabby Gifford supports health care for EVERYONE, unlike her Republican cousins. No, what pisses me off is a guy like Dick Cheney receiving phenomenal health care when you know he wouldn't do a think to help the average person in this country get even rudimentary care.

Shame on you, Crabby. Should she refuse the care to which she is entitled? Would you? Somehow I doubt it. Why are you so hateful?

I dont know about you, but I dont want to pay taxes so a bunch of idiots can chase their draem of being a worthless drag on society "sports star". At least hes not butchering his wife or raping hotel maids.

Why, He choose to play a sport that bad things can happen. Who do you think the school is? It is us. He will now be eligible for medicaid. What more do you people want???

MARK & COMBAT; So touching to know that you both that rare breed of Republican, a "compassionate conservative".

You two jokers are the type that would throw a boat anchor to a drowning sailor.

Ozzie, You will not find in any of my posts a party affiliation. Why, Because I have none. I am an AMERICAN NURSE. I am not slamming this person I am slamming people like you who think the MILLIONS OF DOLLARS that we will spend is not enough, ANSWER THAT QUESTION OZZIE.

Combat, thank you for your service. To the rest of you out there blasting the healthcare profession and health insurers - please show me where there is a specific item listed in this article that this young man needs and that he hasn't received? He is on Medicaid, and apparently has been so since the $5 million policy he was first on ran out. When he was first injured, his mother and he were informed it was a $5 million policy, they weren't promised or guaranteed health insurance coverage for life.

No where in this article does it say that Rocky has been denied care. As a Medicaid beneficiary, life-saving care will not be denied him; on the contrary, he has an entire state agency that is there to ensure he does get care. Also the article notes that his mother is getting paid by the state to be his caregiver. She most definitively needs and deserves Respite Care, which may or may not be a state Medicaid benefit - that is a State of Illinois decided upon benefit. But if the state will not pay for Respite care, there are multiple charitable groups who will step in and assist. I know, as I volunteer whith such a group in my own community.

That this young man has survived is a testament to him, his mother, his faith, and the very healthcare system being castigated in this string. Many of us probably have our own feelings about whether we would wish to carry on in a situation such as his. The reality is that medical science has progressed to the point that we can continue to extend lives like Rocky's - but single payer, private insurer, pay as you go, we all need to have a de-politicized conversation as to whether or not doing everything medically possible to extend life is something we can and should do, no matter what the costs. If the answer as a society is that no care should ever be withheld, no matter what the situation, then we will ALL need to figure out what we are going to give up in order to pay for it. There is no free lunch.

Rosie, you tell that young man and his mother, that we as society have decided he is not worth the cost to keep him alive. Go ahead.

I didn't say anyone should tell this young man he should die. I said we need to as a nation have a discussion about IF we should pay for all care, no matter what - if that is what we decide, then we'll all have to make the decision as to what we're going to give up to pay for it. And as things stand, no one is DENYING this young man care!

And NONE of us get out of this world alive

So the local taxpayers should shoulder the burden? I don't think so. If you play sports you are covered by your parents insurance.

RN, Than you need to donate your retirement. If you think the current MILLIONS we will spend under the current system is not enough then give up your pay check not mine. I am a NURSE and I know what he is going through but WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT???? Do you want my whole paycheck and then give me an allowance to take care of MY FAMILY?? Donate if you want him to have more than what we are about to spend.

You know, I don't know what has made you so bitter and angry, but I suspect it might be something related to the care our injured returning veterans are not getting and SHOULD get without any hesitation or equivocation.

If that is the source of your anger, you and I are on the same page. And no, I don't want your entire paycheck. But I do think that people who become disabled through no fault of their own deserve far better than they got before the Medicaid and Medicare cutbacks, and if the people who caused the injuries were held accountable financially I think that the cause of a lot of injuries would be addressed.

For instance, I don't know or care what company made the helmet this young man was wearing when he was injured, but when a company manufactures protective gear that in fact does not protect, they should be liable for the injuries resulting from their crappy product. I think they would learn in short order that it is more economically sound to produce a quality product that does what it should than pay the toll for neglecting to do so for many years.

The end result might well have been a kid who went on to the pros or, even better, used his football scholarship to avail himself of an education that would afford him a decent lifestyle. This really isn't rocket science.

RN I am only angry at people like YOU, who think the MILLIONS WE WILL SPEND is not enough. The system is in place to take care of this individual. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT??????

I want it to take care of him well, and at a price the nation can afford. I also want it to take care of me, my family, you and your family, and anyone else who needs medical care.

If you truly are a nurse, you know where the high cost lies: profiteering and waste.

I want the people who see the problem every single day and know the solutions to be heard. I want the folks who take the payoffs, regardless of what form those payoffs take, to be prosecuted and punished severely enough that others will think long and hard for selling someone's life for a few dollars, or even a huge pile of dollars.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

For people like YOU to quit bitching that the MILLIONS we are going to spend is NOT ENOUGH.

CombatMedic69, You sound like a broken record!!!! You keep asking the same question over and over again and keep ignoring all the answers.

Oh, I did....google my replies to this thread and you'll see that I actually said that FOOTBALL IS AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY. I'm expecting someone to come looking for me for that one, but I said it and I'll always say it.