Why None of Us Need Government Run Healthcare

A true story...

My mother is on Medicare and also Louisiana Medicaid because she is disabled. In August a femur broke and the family was told by an Ortho doctor it was a tumor that caused the femur to break. The doctors wanted to do a Pet Scan but told us she didn't meet the required criteria. So for two months we relied on other tests, which are not as conclusive as a PET scan (they are cheaper by the way) and we were given the impression by doctors and nurses she did not have cancer. On October 26th she was taken to an emergency room with severe pain and dehydration. They once again ordered CAT scans and this time it showed cancer in the liver, lungs and bone. The metastatic disease had spread rapidly and aggresively. Perhaps the PET scans would have shown that two months ago and we could have ordered treatment to begin, maybe not. My main gripe is during this time I have seen so many failures within the system that treats our seniors and disabled. Just as one example, Medicare will gladly purchase my mother a $5,000 electric wheelchair, they will allow charges for medical equipment and services. But I was told by a hospital doctor, who shall remain anonymous, that he was being forced to discharge my mother who still showed signs of dehydration and her body is ate up with cancer but she had stayed her 5 days and it was time for her discharge. Do you see the insanity? So my mother came home with us and we have been her primary caretakers. I feel inadequate as I do not have the training or resources to do all that she needs done. But in our government's eyes she is disposable. Friends you do not want the government making healthcare decisions for you. You do not want the government deciding what kind of treatments you qualify for. Granted there are multiple problems in our healthcare system. We found out her Chemotherapy treatment has a $600 copay after Medicare pays its portion. A life-saving drug should not cost $6,000. A nights stay in a hospital shouldn't cost thousands of dollars. There are so many issues that need to be addressed, but I believe the answer is competition. The more companies offering treatments, services, supplies, etc. the lower the price. But take it from a son who has watched his mother's health fade, YOU DO NOT WANT BIG BROTHER IN CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTHCARE!