Baby Charlie was born with a genetic disorder and will not live unless he receives an experimental treatment in the United States. His parents raised over $1.5 million but England's National Health Service (their version of government single-payer health care) is insisting that Charlie die with dignity at home. This case is really demonstrating the failure of the single-payer system plus the fact that when a single-payer system is installed, the available funding to do basic research dries up - there are no experimental treatments in England, only in America.
But, some good news from CNS News:
Judge Rules Against London Hospital--In Favor of Charlie Gard's Parents
A judge at London's High Court ruled against the hospital and in favor of the parents of baby Charlie Gard--who is suffering from a rare genetic disorder--that they may present new scientific evidence concerning their son's treatment, which will be reviewed this Thursday and could possibly lead to Charlie receiving treatment in the United States. But the outcome is still uncertain and Charlie's fate is precarious.
Charlie Gard is 10 months old. He lives on life support in the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. His genetic disorder is destructive to muscles and organs, and most people who have the problem die in infancy. The baby's parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, want their son to undergo an experimental treatment, which has been helpful in some cases. An online campaign has raised more than $1.5 million for the baby's treatment.
Under the health care laws in Britain, however, the parents are not allowed to pursue this option. The hospital contends Charlie is brain-damaged and beyond medical hope, and the hospital wants to shut off his life support. This denial of the parent's desire to seek treatment for their son elsewhere led to several court rulings -- in favor of the hospital. On Monday, July 10, the judge who previously ruled against the Gards agreed to review whatever new evidence they can present to him for a reevaluation.
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