Just Because You Can – Doesn’t Mean You Should – Article 5

People are drawn to the story of the California Octuplets and their mother, Nadya Suleman. The responses range from joy at the miracle of this birth to outrage about the costs and questions about Ms. Suleman’s ability to care for fourteen children.

This story touches us all – whether you have experienced the heartbreak of infertility, the joy of being a parent, or the challenges of trying to live without a paycheck.

So why does this story matter so much? Because it is a symbol of a larger problem in our healthcare system. We have so many incredible tools and tests. The things that doctors can do expand with each new process, each new discovery. Yet, just because we can do something, does not necessarily mean we should do it. This is a societal dilemma.

Ms. Suleman’s fertility doctor had the skill to implant six embryos (which split to 8). Her medical team at Kaiser consisted of 46 physicians and staff. The estimated cost for this process according to “NBC chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman, …….the estimated cost of delivering the infants and caring for them until they are healthy enough to leave the hospital at $1.5 million to $3 million.” I believe it will cost much more.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting, “Three sources told The Times that Kaiser Permanente has requested Medi-Cal reimbursement for care of the octuplets.”

Now, a private medical issue has become a taxpayer burden. At a time when our country is grappling with an economic crisis and crucial Medicaid programs are slashed, our dilemma becomes what health related activities are Americans willing to, or should, pay. While a proponent for health care access for all Americans, I wonder out loud at what point do we say we have gone too far. As a country, we need to get smarter about the choices we make with our care.

While many question Dr. Kamrava’s motives as this story unwinds. Doctors must make ethical decisions on a daily basis. Doctors need to be less afraid and supported when they say no. Saying no is just as important as saying yes.

As a nation, we owe it to ourselves to figure out the right thing to do, rather than the fastest or the most gratifying. We need to think not just about ourselves, but the ramifications our behaviors and actions have on our fellow Americans.

Get Smart about Health Care, America!