Quoth "Mark S. Holden" in :


I realize it's a delicate problem, but really, the people who changed
the laws in the name of patients rights did them a disservice.

A lot of those who changed the laws ostensibly in the name of patient's
rights were really doing it to cut the cost to state governments of providing
services to the mentally ill.

It's cheaper to let them die on the streets.

--
"I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle; for how can they
charitably dispose of anything when blood is their argument? Now, if these
men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the King that led them
to it; who to disobey were against all proportion of subjection." - W.S.

Tom Betz wrote:
Quoth "Mark S. Holden" in :


I realize it's a delicate problem, but really, the people who changed
the laws in the name of patients rights did them a disservice.


A lot of those who changed the laws ostensibly in the name of patient's
rights were really doing it to cut the cost to state governments of providing
services to the mentally ill.

It's cheaper to let them die on the streets.


You may be right. I've heard of stories where the ambulance staff will
check the wallet/purse of the collapsed person to make sure they have
money/coverage before picking them up. It's disgusting.




mike

"Tom Betz" wrote in message
. 70...
Quoth "Mark S. Holden" in
:


I realize it's a delicate problem, but really, the people who
changed
the laws in the name of patients rights did them a disservice.

A lot of those who changed the laws ostensibly in the name of
patient's
rights were really doing it to cut the cost to state governments of
providing
services to the mentally ill.

It's cheaper to let them die on the streets.


Aside from the overly cynical last sentence, I don't have any reason
to believe that this isn't correct in part. But the bottom line is
that the significant initiative that put these people on the streets
came from so-called "advocates" for the individuals themselves--true
believers who considered it more "just" that they be freed from
institutional confines. Yet another burden from the bad ideas of the
well-intentioned.