Is Charlie Gard’s situation a reason to reject premise single-payer health care?
Jul 5, 2017, 7:34 AM | Updated: 9:26 am
This is an undated hand out photo of Charlie Gard provided by his family, at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London. (Family of Charlie Gard via AP)
(Family of Charlie Gard via AP)
Does the government ever have the right to pull the plug on a patient when they stop responding to medical care?
Not in the United States, but it appears they can in the U.K.
A European court has ruled that the life support machine can be turned off for Charlie Gard, an infant born with a rare mitochondrial depletion syndrome.
The case has gained attention worldwide. Here in the U.S., headlines are pointing to this case as an example of the evils of socialized medicine.
The Pope tweeted out his support for the child, as did President Trump.
“If we can help little #CharlieGard, as per our friends in the U.K. and the Pope, we would be delighted to do so,” Trump’s tweet read.
A Vatican hospital offered to take Charlie in. Ditto for a U.S. hospital.
Charlie’s parents have raised about $1.7 million to pay for Charlie’s treatment and travel.
We asked Darren Adam from Leading Britain’s Conversation for the latest on Charlie and if this is a reason Americans should reject the premise of single-payer health care.
Listen to the interview here.
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