CNN iReport

How can a few drips of drugs given in a few hours be >$10,000?  One young man just turned 17.  A few drip bags.  CHOP + R (rituximab) for those who would bother to look it up.  Simple drip bags hooked up while the patient sits in the doctor's office.  Several hours with staff checking intermittently and changing bags to new drugs as needed.

Why does it cost so much?  Sorry, I am in manufacturing and have been for a very long time.  I want to know how much profit you make on these drugs.  Transparency.  Frankly, I am NOT ok with >20% profit for something necessary to sustain life in a 17 yr old patient.  Industry breaks the economy, the middle class, and has found the key to life but judiciously chooses to give it only to those who will sell the house and sacrifice all to have it.  I'll bet those cures were found via taxpayer money funding through grants to investigate monoclonal antibody treatments.  In fact, I would bet without reservation that the taxpayers funded the cure for my son and I would win.

Healthcare plays at being God.  You shall live, but sorry the other one who cannot pay will die.  All for a few grams of clear liquid that I KNOW do not cost anywhere near $10,000 to manufacture.

How about we allow you recoup of research $ and 15% profit for the discovery?  Is it a deal?  Question then is whether the discovery was made via taxpayer money.  If so, we own all profits not you.

>$10,000 for a few hours of drips in a practice adjacent to a university teaching hospital.  Why?

We see the profitting and the lies against healthcare, and we are deeply offended.

It was related to me by a friend today that he broke his toe in Spain while visiting that country about 20 years ago.  At 1am, he went to emergency.  They asked his name only.  They treated him and that was it.  No address required.  No money needed.  He broke his toe, he was treated, and he left.  People, can you even imagine such a system?  We have been so lied to and all for corporate profits.  Spain is a functioning democracy with free elections.  The taxes were no higher than here, yet people can be treated without paying.  How can that be?  How?  I think we all know the answer.  Industry syphons profits that they know we will pay.  Industry pays for propanganda ads to bald faced lie to the public, create fear, and sustain profits.  Industry sacrifices the very taxpayers who funded so many discoveries by which they make their profits.

Vote and be aware.  That is my advice.  Don't believe the lies for a second.  Keep focused on breaking a toe and being treated with no worries about cards and checks.  Focus on the fact that many nations do this and function as free democratic societies.  Block your ears to industry and win this battle for healthcare.