Charlie Gard and national healthcare

GOVERNMENT PANEL DECIDES WHO WILL RECIEVE CARE

PARENTAL RIGHTS NO LONGER EXIST

 

 

The decision by a hospital panel in the United Kingdom has given us a glimpse into the workings of National Health Care. The decision by the court to force 11 month old Charlie Gard to remain under the care of the hospital and to be removed from life support has caused outrage by many. His parents have asked that he either be allowed to come home or possibly receive treatment in another country. The Hospital and the court has refused, concluding that his condition is terminal. Charlie has been diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease which is a genetic condition, that at present, does not have a  known cure.

 

Charlie is going to be examined by a U.S. doctor who has been working on this disease and claims there has been success in treating some of these cases. The family hopes Charlie will be allowed to leave and travel to the U.S. for experimental treatment.

 

National healthcare is the norm in the European community. Many tout that it is free healthcare for all, but the downside is almost never discussed. It is a fact that panels decide by statistics who should receive care and who should not. If over a certain age you may be denied for knee replacements and other treatments. Belgium has recently allowed euthanasia for terminally ill children. There is also a movement in Europe to allow euthanasia for under 3 year old children whose parents have second thought about being parents. Their thinking is that these children have not reached the age of reason so do not have the same rights as older children.

 

Those who espouse national healthcare should think long and hard about what kind of control over our lives we are willing to give to the government. Why can't the parents be allowed to bring their baby home and do the best they can for as long as they can? What other decisions are we willing to give over to some bureaucracy? Once those rights are given up they will never be restored. Again, the problem with our healthcare system is the cost, much of which has been exasperated by government meddling. Do we really believe that more government meddling and control will remedy the problem?