Sebelius: I can’t suspend the lung-transplant rules for a dying 10-year-old

Hotair ^ | 06/04/2013 | AllahPundit

[Coldwater Creek]

Wow! Actually a sane thought. I have a terminal lung disease and on many support groups. If there was a viable lung available her doctors would have already performed the tx.

[Coldwater Creek]

THANK YOU! I have a terminal lung disease. Not every one that needs a tx is going to get one for one reason or another. The protocol is tough and designed to make the procedure as safe and successful as possible. There are more failures than we would like. A transplant is NOT a fix all end all.

[Coldwater Creek]

I have a terminal lung disease. One doesn't get a transplant until death is pretty much imminent.

[Mercat]

My brother had IPD (I think that’s the acronym). He died last August. At 68 and on a vent there’s not much chance he would have made the donor list but I would have given him half of mine if they would have let me. He left a widow and three kids and five grandchildren. I miss him every day. So that sort of colors my reaction to this story. Every life is precious.

[Coldwater Creek]

I have Pulmonary Fibrosis, terminal unless transplanted. I talk daily with many people of all ages that will NOT get new lungs for one reason or another. This story is heart breaking, but I and the other lung patients that I am in contact with AGREE with Sebelius.

[Coldwater Creek]

BEATING HEAD AGAINST WALL! The issue is NOT that she is too young, there is not a lung that would fit that is available. If this were my child I would be fighting as well, even knowing that it was probably futile.

[Coldwater Creek]

MONEY IS NOT THE ISSUE!

[Coldwater Creek]

BING0! Everyone is not going to be well no matter what.

[Coldwater Creek]

There are NEVER throw a way lungs. Lungs are hard to come by. I know a ton that are waiting for the “call”, people that have several small children to raise. Should they be told no.

[Coldwater Creek]

Not a long time in the world of lung disease and transplants.

[Coldwater Creek]

The lungs will NOT be tossed. I have many friends that are waiting for the call, hope that it comes before it is too late. Many of these people have small children to raise.

[Jay Redhawk]

So that is what a “Death Czar” looks like. Also what a “killer” looks like. If Obamacare goes forward she will have as much blood on the her hands as Himmler and his little mustached boss.

[Coldwater Creek]

Sorry for your lost. It seems only if one has been through the process of lung disease and transplanting would understand that Sebelius is really not at fault on this one,

[Coldwater Creek]

STOP! Sebulis is NOT a killer in this issue. This is a medical decision made by the transplant people in 05. I have a terminal lung disease only a transplant would help. Not qualified for several reasons. That is the hand that I have bee dealt.

[the-gooroo]

I appreciate your post, Coldwater. I, too suffer from the same disease as this little 10 yr old girl, Cystic Fibrosis. I have such mixed emotions on this whole subject for the same reasons you gave. Also, the board that decides the “rules” on trasplants has been in place for a long time. So in effect we already have death panels. If she gets the lungs then perhaps a 12 yr old child who IS eligible dies. Maybe she is too sick to survive the transplant with adult lungs? There are no easy answers. God bless her and her family. I don’t blame them for fighting for their precious girl.

[ThomasMore]

heartless bitch

[chris37]

As I understand it, any available adult lung could be prepared to fit her body.

The issue is that the federal regulations say that she does not qualify for an adult lung, so if one does become available, she can’t have it regardless.

[chris37]

You are free to agree with her, and I am free to disagree with her.

[chris37]

Yes, death happens.

But there’s no point in telling this girl she has no chance of survival because she’s 10 and not twelve.

[Errant]

I am very sorry for what you and everyone on the waiting lists are having to go through. As someone who had an immediate family member on one of those waiting lists, I appreciate your concerns. However, I stand by post #138.

Everyone in need deserves an equal chance at life based on the latest technology medical science has to offer. To simply turn our heads, and allow an outdated policy to stand, and ignore the fact that advances in medicine now means even younger patients are able to receive adult lungs is morally unacceptable.

I pray that same technology allows for increased availability, perhaps by growing organs outside the body, using parts of parts and etc.

God bless you, and all those on organ waiting lists. Hang in there. Advances in medicine are indeed increasing rapidly, and each new day offers new possibilities.