Monday, September 28, 2009
News Word: Grady's latest woes
Posted by Benjamin Fisher on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Last week, it was announced that Grady Memorial Hospital will officially move forward with plans to close its dialysis unit. To the dismay of patients and advocates, a judge lifted a previous restraining order on Sept. 25 that prevented the clinic from closing its doors. The decision sparked intense scrutiny from patients and advocates.
“The only option is to count the days until he dies.”
— Abebech Tadesse, speaking about her 69-year-old father and Grady dialysis clinic patient, quoted in the AJC.
“They’re treating the closing of this clinic like it’s the closing of a dental clinic, as if people’s lives don’t depend on it.”
— Samuel Tabares whose father is paralyzed by a stroke, quoted in the same AJC article.
"Those who are less fortunate or who have less access to care will always have a home at Grady. But even in that context, Grady has some tough decisions to make. Otherwise, we won't be in business."
— Matt Gove, a senior vice president at the hospital, quoted in the Wall Street Journal.
“Atlanta can’t live without Grady.”
— From Grady Memorial Hospital’s Web site.
Comments (2)
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There are at least four dialysis clinics within a half mile of Grady. Is there some way to get access for those patients to those clinics?
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The dialysis problem is cost, not availability of clinic slots. It comes down to whether Fulton and Dekalb taxpayers should pay for dialysis for medically indigent non-citizens and/or non-residents whose treatment is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Tens of thousands per year to keep someone alive. A brutal dilemma.
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