[araftery]

I disagree. The problem is frankly that we've come to expect too much from modern medicine. Doing a triple bypass surgery on a 90-year-old is expensive, plain and simple. Yes, we can save his life, but we have to be willing to pay the cost—and we aren't.

Medicare is a monopsony. They represent such a large share of patients for many practices that they set their own prices. And when people expect medicare both to pay for their triple bypass and not to go broke at the same time, what we get bankrupt hospitals and over-worked doctors.

Being more responsible about the way we apportion healthcare is the only reasonable option.

[karmajunkie]

I don't know any cardiologists who would perform that kind of surgery on a 90yo.