[Blood of Tyrants]

I am of two minds on this. On one hand I am the father who wants to prolong the life of the child as long as possible.

On the other hand is the person who knows that even with the tracheotomy, it is just delaying the inevitable, and during that whole time, the parents are asking other citizens to continue to pay the huge medical costs so that they can spend a few more weeks with their dying baby.

I think that instead of appealing to the Canadian health care system, I would spend the time begging God to spare my child.

[wagglebee]

the parents are asking other citizens to continue to pay the huge medical costs so that they can spend a few more weeks with their dying baby.

First of all, the cost of a tracheotomy is next to nothing.

Secondly, Canadians PAY FOR THEIR HEALTH CARE in the form of very high taxes.

Finally, there are groups that are entirely willing and able to pay for Baby Joseph's care:

Fr. Pavone, the ‘Terri Schiavo Priest’, will pay to bring Baby Joseph to U.S.

[trapped_in_LA]

“On the other hand is the person who knows that even with the tracheotomy, it is just delaying the inevitable”

Hard to say that it is inevitable when they don’t know the cause. Besides, this is a relatively simple procedure that well allow the parents to take care of him for however long he has so why not?

[RnMomof7]

On the other hand is the person who knows that even with the tracheotomy, it is just delaying the inevitable, and during that whole time, the parents are asking other citizens to continue to pay the huge medical costs so that they can spend a few more weeks with their dying baby.

That is the problem with National health care.. the bottom line is ALWAYS money

[little jeremiah]

And the parents want to care for him at home, which will cost the state little to nothing, compared to hospital care.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I think I get your point here, Blood. And if it was a question of continuing the ventilator, I'd be inclined to agree with you: the ventilator is futile in this little boy's case, and can be terribly burdensome to a dying person. It's by no means morally obligatory to prolong the dying process as long as possible.

But (if I'm understanding the details correctly) in this case I think the tracheotomy would be considered "ordinary care." It's a simple, routine way to help a patient breathe. "Invasive"? Yes, but only very slightly. Not expensive. And the little guy would go home, which means the care would be assumed by his parents, significantly cheaper and simpler than keeping him in the hospital.

Plus it would show a decent respect for his grieving parents' wish that they be allowed to spend a little time (more than minutes) with their dying son at ome.

And others are willing to pay ALL the expenses!! So what's the problem? Looks like a stone cold bureaucratic power trip to me. "We have ruled! Quod scripsit, scripsit!"