[CodeToad]

I am totally baffled how such an organization could allow this to continue for as long as it has.

[muawiyah]

Kaiser-Permanente obtained it's permit to mail at the special (nonprofit) rates of postage on the basis that they would provide medical aid to people even if they weren't members.

That meant "free medical assistance" BTW.

Someday somebody's going to take this and other stories like it and approach USPS with the idea that KP's qualification for special rates is long over and time to pay up!

[ClearCase_guy]

Under Hillarycare, I believe that it would be my house that would be auctioned off to pay this woman’s bill.

[George from New England]

Can’t happen here in Florida. Your home is your castle and no medical conglomerate can take it.

[goldstategop]

I doubt Kaiser will recoup the costs from the sale of the home.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[IronJack]

A Marin County judge eventually put the now 84-year-old woman in the county's care Bay.

[Publius6961]

I can totally understand this apparent contradiction.
At a certain age (not the same for everyone), older people become irrational to the point of self-destruction.
Being faced with a similar problem currently with an older relative, I am convinced it's a lose/lose situation. I have been driven to paralysis between doing what is right for her ealth and comfort and enrage her, or doing what is possible and allowing her to spend her few remaining years in self-imposed misery.

[dit_xi]

Here’s a basic question, where are her family? It is sad that many people in our society shirk the responsibility of caring for their elderly parents.

[pgkdan]

I’m having a hard time feeling sympathy for her. She refused to leave the hospital for over a year and now she’s in the county’s care. They should sell her house and liquidate all hger assets...someone has to pay for her care and it shouldn’t (all) be the taxpayers.

[Continental Soldier]

Well, sure, as long as the big money people get their money! Who really cares about one individual? Take her house; throw her out on the street and don’t worry about anything. Somehow, some way, she’s at fault. And the big money bankers can sleep soundly.

[gracie1]

There is a HUGE back story to this. This woman has a long history of manipulative, bullying, and eccentric behavior towards all who have had to deal with her. How she has been able to browbeat the case management staff of Kaiser is amazing.