Should non-residents be allowed to be listed for transplant?

[tibor75]

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First of all, I'm not talking about those who live in the US but are not citizens - clearly I think they should be listed.

But I'm talking about poeple who don't even live here who come from abroad to get transplanted. UNOS allows a program to have on their list a small number of non-residents. Now, I don't think these patients are from disadvantaged countries. Those people can't pay for the transplant, have no insurance, and I doubt many hospitals can foot the bill.

I'm talking about patients from rich countries who basically pay their way onto the list so they can take an organ away from a US resident. As you can imagine, a person who has the money and pays cash for his transplant is coveted...

 

[southerndoc]

Personally I don't think those who are here illegally should be allowed to receive transplants. So I naturally don't think people should come to the US to get transplants while living abroad as foreign citizens.

 

[trustwomen]

First of all, I'm not talking about those who live in the US but are not citizens - clearly I think they should be listed.

But I'm talking about poeple who don't even live here who come from abroad to get transplanted. UNOS allows a program to have on their list a small number of non-residents. Now, I don't think these patients are from disadvantaged countries. Those people can't pay for the transplant, have no insurance, and I doubt many hospitals can foot the bill.

I'm talking about patients from rich countries who basically pay their way onto the list so they can take an organ away from a US resident. As you can imagine, a person who has the money and pays cash for his transplant is coveted...

How is this so different from a rich US resident who buys their way onto a transplant list?

 

[resxn]

With the state of health care in academic centers today, who can argue with a limited number of "fee for service" foreigners coming in to fund the system? I see a greater good being created by these wealthy individuals because it may allow someone without the means to pay to get a transplant as well and not bankrupt the system because of it.

Also, think of the marketing advantage to that center. Think of the potential donations that would come. Think of how the reputation of that US medical center will grow in the international community.

As I see it, it's better bringing it in than it is to keep farming it out. I'm sure our radiologists love it when scans get sent electronically to India to get read and returned rather than being done at home.

 

[Faebinder]

First of all, I'm not talking about those who live in the US but are not citizens - clearly I think they should be listed.

But I'm talking about poeple who don't even live here who come from abroad to get transplanted. UNOS allows a program to have on their list a small number of non-residents. Now, I don't think these patients are from disadvantaged countries. Those people can't pay for the transplant, have no insurance, and I doubt many hospitals can foot the bill.

I'm talking about patients from rich countries who basically pay their way onto the list so they can take an organ away from a US resident. As you can imagine, a person who has the money and pays cash for his transplant is coveted...

You are not going to win this one.... it might not be right for them to be on the list but the mighty dollar makes the list move.

Of course I am thinking exactly what you are thinking.... their ignorant society needs to get itself together and understand how medicine works and understand the need for transplant and organ donation.....

Heck, the US even needs to do that... not everyone donates organs..... It's not an easy subject...

 

[tibor75]

I see a greater good being created by these wealthy individuals because it may allow someone without the means to pay to get a transplant as well and not bankrupt the system because of it..

Not true, at least with heart transplants. A person doesn't have good enough insurance, they don't get a heart transplant. Well, sometimes the program can apply for medical assistance, but still, it's a huge uphill battle.

As regards to the other poster, how do rich US citizens buy their way into transplants?