My late (ex-)wife, who was an administrative law judge for the U.S. government, suffered a stroke at age 52 and, after a long illness wherein she remained in a "persistent vegetative state", of about two years was about to be thrown out of the long-term care facility where the government employees' health plan had put her because her benefits had run out. This forced me and, subsequently, her family to intercede on her behalf, ultimately having her moved to the locale where her mother lived and could see to her care. That care was not cheap, particularly since the health care system, if you can call it that, here, forces privately funded patients to pay the highest rates for the lowest-standard of care. Laws about health care are written to favor the "care" givers such that, while a family member could provide better care, it requires that a "professional" costing on the order of $70 per hour be permanently entrusted with the care of a patient in her condition. Imagine paying out that much for a GED-level graduate who had at most 9 weeks' training, and who, herself, is paid only $8 per hour.

In any case, it's no picnic getting sick. If you want to be sure you and your family will die broke, just put off signing a do-not-resuscitate order and publishing it EVERYWHERE.

RE