TRANSPLANT DECISION

RIP Kimberly Reyes

If I were a religious person, my first question today would be: "When
did God die -- and who appointed HMSA as his/her successor?"

What exactly was Kimberly Reyes' mistake? Was it taking a few hits of
marijuana to alleviate her pain? Was it that she was of modest means
and not a famous person? Or was it that she angered some bureaucrat
at HMSA? If Ms. Reyes had applied for a medical marijuana license,
would she have been rejected for a new liver? My guess is that HMSA
would have found some other "reason" to reject her claim.

Just prior to his passing, Mickey Mantle received a new liver while
his blood was probably 90 proof. He was much older than Ms.Reyes, a
boozer, not a doper and obviously had a different health insurance
plan. Yet, Mantle received a precious transplant, jumping ahead of
many people on the waiting list, while Ms.Reyes was refused. Is this
how it works in the wealthiest country in the world? It is indeed the
golden rule: You have gold, you rule.

Thankfully, I do not have to deal with HMSA. I am a very satisfied
patient with Kaiser and feel lucky to have it as my insurer.

And to all you teabaggers out there protesting any kind of health
plan reform: I know you don't want the government involved in your
health care decisions, but is it okay that some guy hiding behind a
desk can decide who lives and who dies based upon their own view of
morality and a profit and loss statement?

It is not okay with me. What happened to Ms. Reyes should never,
never occur again.

My heart goes out to the Reyes ohana.

Barry Finkenberg

Kailua-Kona