California inmate gets new heart

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 1-25-2002 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- A California inmate has become the first person to receive an organ transplant while in state prison, adding fuel to questions as to whether there are limits to the kinds of treatment ailing inmates are given.

The operation took place at Stanford Medical Center. A 31-year-old felon was given a new heart. The inmate is serving a 14-year sentence for a 1996 robbery in Los Angeles. Prison officials said he will not be eligible for parole until 2008 because this is his second felony conviction.

After a longtime heart problem caused by a viral infection became critical, the inmate was transferred to the Stanford Medical Center from the prison system's medical institution at Vacaville. He received a new heart from an unidentified donor Jan. 3, and has been returned to Vacaville.

Prison officials estimate that the taxpayer-financed operation and aftercare could carry a price tag of $1 million.

[NormsRevenge]

OHHHH ... GraYYYYYYouT DaaaaaVis !!!!

Maybe we could get u a brain transplant for less...

Wanna give it a go !!! :-)

[dead]

Oh that's sweet!

Now he'll be nice, like what happened to The Grinch when he had a change of heart.

[Rain-maker]

Oh joy...I suppose an Save-an-Inmate organ transplant tax will be next!

[engrpat]

I need a transplant, who do I mug?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Wow... and to think, some decent, law-abiding person out there on a waiting list will now have to wait even longer, while a two-time felon will live to break the law another day...

[ken5050]

The criteria for organ assignment has got to be changed....

[Destructor]

I wonder what Law abiding Citizen on the waiting list died, while this yardbird got his heart?

[AUgrad]

This guy had not been sentenced to death. To deny him care that would prevent his death would be imposing such a sentence.

[Bikers4Bush]

Was the donors family given the option of not donating the heart to a two time felon?

1 million f'ing dollars to keep a convict alive. How nice.

[George from New England]

I cannot believe that his lifestyle had nothing to do with this heart condition. Most of the time criminals engage in immoral practices, i.e. gay sex, drug use. We cannot be replacing their organs, especially when in the lockup.

[mountaineer]

I can think of a few things I'd kind of like to ask my doctor about, but I don't want to go to the expense. I can see where I've gone wrong, waiting till I could pay for my own medical needs. Lock me up, copper! I did it!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Sure... but what about the people on organ waiting lists who have been sentenced to death because of the lack of organs available, as they wait and wait and wait...? We need to prioritize...

[AUgrad]

I can see making him pay back the expense of his operation even if it takes the rest of his life (being in prison shouldn't be an entitlement). I don't believe they should deny him the care.

[Dimensio]

I cannot believe that his lifestyle had nothing to do with this heart condition. Most of the time criminals engage in immoral practices, i.e. gay sex, drug use. We cannot be replacing their organs, especially when in the lockup.

I'll accept that drug use can cause problems, but gay sex leads to heart conditions? That's a new one on me.

It's also a pretty sweeping and likely wholly inaccurate generalization to assume that all criminals are exactly alike, regardless of their crimes.

I think that medical care should have been provided only if his family could have afforded it -- I don't care for state-funded medical care for convicts, at least not of this level.

[EBUCK]

Neither was he sentanced to life by tax payer funded operation!!!!!

EBUCK

[freeeee]

I wonder what happens to the organs of execution victims. Texas must a few hundred healthy hearts available every year.

Once upon a time, Americans, and especially FReepers, condemned China in the strongest possible terms for exactly the same practice you propose.

Maybe you think those Chinese aren't so bad, after all?

[AUgrad]

Neither was he sentanced to life by tax payer funded operation!!!!!

Like I said, make him pay the money back(he would of had to pay for it if he wasn't in prison). I believe it is a mistake to turn an eight year sentence into a death sentence.

[tracer]

"I left my heart, in Sannnn Franciscooooh." Oh, well, nearby then............

[gg188]

This guy had not been sentenced to death. To deny him care that would prevent his death would be imposing such a sentence.

Wrong. You get the health care you can afford. Just like you get the kind of car you can afford, the type of home, etc.

If the con can afford the transplant, I might consider it.

The argument that "This guy had not been sentenced to death. To deny him care that would prevent his death would be imposing such a sentence" would apply anybody. Do we offer unlimited health-care to every citizen, or even every indigent citizen? Not yet, at least not before President Hillary Clinton institutes it.

Everyone lives with their decisions. This con could have done what I presume you and what I know others do---get a job, buy insurance, abide by the law, save your money, and when you're old, what you have done---even your lifestyle decisions---will determine the care you can afford to purchase.