In my work w/ Hospice and Palliative care patients every day I see the for long term care payment so that folks who wish to die at home can afford to do so w/o bankrupting themselves or their families. Because custoidial (non-skilled but essential services) are not paid for patients usually end up in expensive hospitals/skilled nursing facilities where the government pays more for their care than they would for care at home. Dr. JoAnn Lynne is a champion of this cause and says that its easier to get heart bypass surgery on the weekend than to get a home health aide to come to your house to cook you dinner/help w/ a bath. She says "Is it any wonder then that so much unnecessary heart surgery is done but so few people get their wish to die in their homes?!"
| I like this story | |
Welcome to Dr. Margaret Gaines MD's story page!
You can share this page using the tools on the right-hand side of the page.
People can also leave comments on this story and recommend this story. So check back often.
Comments:
ABOUT US:
We are fighting for provisions to help more patients get the care they need and to limit the power of insurance companies. Doctors for America is a grassroots movement of over 16,000 physicians and medical students in all 50 states.
ABOUT ME:
I am a general internist/geriatrician/palliativist working for Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound. Thanks, Mr President, for all you do! I'm one of your dedicated followers!!