No Health Care For Smokers?

[Jeremy]

Originally Posted by Sin

It all comes back to that "Life is all about choices" thing again.

Cobblers, Sin.

It comes back to the Hippocratic Oath, which, unless I've misread it, neglects to mention the "you've made your bed, you lie in it" school of medical thought.

[Red]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

It comes back to the Hippocratic Oath, which, unless I've misread it, neglects to mention the "you've made your bed, you lie in it" school of medical thought.

Absolutely right.

Arterial stenosis ( a narrowing of the arteries) can be caused by several things, the most common being a build up of plaque that narrows the lumen (opening of the artery.) I'm not saying that smoking doesn't contribute to the problem because it does. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict which will makes it harder for the blood to flow through the already narrow pathway. But it isn't the only cause and the hospital is negligent if they don't determine other contributing factors and treat them.

For the hospital not to treat smokers does indeed violate the Hippocratic Oath. Will they stop treating overweight patients for coronary artery disease until they lose weight on their own first? This can set a terrible precedent.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by Red

Will they stop treating overweight patients for coronary artery disease until they lose weight on their own first? This can set a terrible precedent.

There's an article I've read a few months ago, I'll need to dig it out to make sure but I think that's a yes as well... I think it's a different hospital though, I'll see if I can find it.

[PornoDoggy]

Originally Posted by Trev

There's an article I've read a few months ago, I'll need to dig it out to make sure but I think that's a yes as well... I think it's a different hospital though, I'll see if I can find it.

There is at least one hospital/health district in the UK that has implemented such a policy.

[JR]

imagine the savings in health care costs if they just let a few people like this just die from time to time and totally at random. i bet a few future cancer patients quit smoking because of this. if people want to kill themselves, others should not have to pay for it. but what do i know. i am just an asshole, conservative capitalist that believes in personal accountability and that the government just fucks things up the more they are involved. can't imagine trusting my life to them... to me, an entire country depending on government for their health care seems more insane than refusing a guy treatment.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by PornoDoggy

There is at least one hospital/health district in the UK that has implemented such a policy.

I found the article, it's knee and hip replacements that obese patients are being denied:
http://www.abcmoney.co.uk/news/2420051408.htm

[Dravyk]

The only reason I smoke is to purposely annoy JR.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by Dravyk

The only reason I smoke is to purposely annoy JR.

Pretty much the same reason I smoke, there's nothing quite like the look I get from a non smoker when I blow my smoke in their face... makes it all so much more fun

[JR]

Originally Posted by Dravyk

The only reason I smoke is to purposely annoy JR.

the only thing that annoys me about smokers is their moronic insistence that its their right to force me to smell it and breath it. i don't talk to you while throwing feces at you, please don't talk to me and make me breath cigarette smoke.
thanks

[JR]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Cobblers, Sin.

It comes back to the Hippocratic Oath, which, unless I've misread it, neglects to mention the "you've made your bed, you lie in it" school of medical thought.

i guess hippocrates was not a marlboro man.

an ancient oath to greek gods and goddesses apparently doesn't apply to a self destructive society 2000 years later, full of people who willfully kill themselves at the DIRECT expense of others.

besides, pledging to protect someones health can also be taken to mean that its necessary to stop them from being idiots who are slowly comitting suicide.