The American Health System

Here's a letter that was sent to one of my patients a few days ago. He has endstage liver disease and needs a new liver...very soon. Note the beautifully capitalistic way it starts.

The Liver Transplant Selection Committee has recently met to discuss your request for a liver transplant evaluation.

After careful review of your medical and psychosocial records, the committee has determined that you meet criteria for a liver transplant evaluation with our Center.

We are going to proceed with your evaluation process. The first person you will be contacted by is the financial coordinator, Christina Allman. She will discuss your insurance benefits related to transplant with you. Once you have been financially cleared for evaluation, the scheduling coordinator, Courtney Wells, will assist you with the appointments necessary to complete this process. There are many tests and studies we need to do, and we ask that you keep these appointments as scheduled to ensure a timely completion of this process...

My patient used to be a truck driver. He was fortunate enough to have health insurance. Unfortuately, due to his progressive liver disease, he had to stop working and has now lost his health insurance. He may qualify for a new liver, but thanks to our American pricetag on life, he won't be able to afford the transplant.