The Cost of Dying

Every medical study ever conducted has concluded that 100 percent of all Americans will eventually die. This comes as no great surprise, but the amount of money being spent at the very end of people's lives probably will. Last year, Medicare paid $50 billion just for doctor and hospital bills during the last two months of patients' lives - that's more than the budget of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Education. And it has been estimated that 20 to 30 percent of these medical expenditures may have had no meaningful impact. Most of the bills are paid for by the federal government with few or no questions asked. You might think this would be an obvious thing for Congress and the president to address as they try to reform health care. But what used to be a bipartisan issue has become a politically explosive one - a perfect example of the costs that threaten to bankrupt the country and how hard it's going to be to rein them in

(Video) Every medical study ever conducted has concluded that 100 percent of all Americans will eventually die. This comes as no great surprise, but the amount of money being spent at the very end of people's lives probably will.

Last year, Medicare paid $50 billion just for doctor and hospital bills during the last two months of patients' lives - that's more than the budget of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Education. ... Full Story »

Posted by Fabrice Florin
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Posted by: Posted by Fabrice Florin - Nov 23, 2009 - 9:55 PM PST
Reviewed by: Fabrice Florin (review)
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Edited by: Fabrice Florin - Nov 23, 2009 - 10:01 PM PST

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Fabrice Florin
4.2
by Fabrice Florin - Nov. 24, 2009

Great journalism from 60 Minutes about a critical issue and a controversial topic: end of life health care -- and our attitudes towards dying. This report shows case studies of patients whose lives were being prolonged, costing Medicare $50 billion a year -- more than for the Department of Education. Factual overview, with context from interviews with Darthmouth doctor Ira Byock and David Walker, the government's former top accountant. Informative and insightful.

“Collectively, as a culture, we really have to acknowledge that we’re mortal,” he said. “Get over it. And start looking at what a healthy, morally ... More »

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