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Hospital tells family brain-dead Georgia woman must carry fetus to birth because of abortion ban (apnews.com)

submitted 3 weeks ago by pete_link@lemmy.ml to c/usa@lemmy.ml

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By JEFF AMY, GEOFF MULVIHILL and SUDIN THANAWALA. Updated 4:19 PM EDT, May 15, 2025

ATLANTA (AP) — A pregnant woman in Georgia was declared brain-dead after a medical emergency and doctors have kept her on life support for three months so far to allow enough time for the baby to be born and comply with Georgia’s strict anti-abortion law, family members say.

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[–] Hotspur@lemmy.ml 30 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

So this is horrible and stupid. But also, who pays for this? Does the family get forced to eat millions in ICU bills? Does the hospital just eat it? Does it get covered by Medicare, which they’re actively trying to erase?

[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 32 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Does the family get forced to eat millions in ICU bills?

Of course they do. This is America.

[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 weeks ago

I'm pretty sure that only stands if the family wants to claim the estate or bodily-remains.

[–] PaupersSerenade@sh.itjust.works 13 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

A different article I read quoted the mother of the victim stating the family had to cover costs. There’s been no comment from the hospital AFAIK. If the state itself had stepped in and said you can’t pull this patient off life support they’d be covering the bill. From what I can tell though it was the hospitals decision to make sure they stayed within the heart-beat law.

[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 12 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

A different article I read quoted the mother of the victim stating the family had to cover costs.

It's not even a question in this country. You will be bankrupted.

[–] PaupersSerenade@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 weeks ago

I agree that it’s the most likely scenario, just wanted to state the facts as I know them.

[–] Hotspur@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah was worried this was the case. Seems insane though that they can make that decision and then force the family to take liability for the cost. Hopefully they will have some sort of recourse—I don’t know exactly but I’m pretty sure long term life support ain’t cheap.

[–] RedWizard@hexbear.net 12 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yes they appear to be on the hook for the bills.

[–] Hotspur@lemmy.ml 6 points 3 weeks ago

That’s so fucked

[–] The_sleepy_woke_dialectic@hexbear.net 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I don't think there is any way they can go after family for debts, except a spouse or if they got someone to sign something.

They can definitely go after her estate though, and probably will.

Socialized healthcare is when you can't get medical treatment and doctors are enslaved.

Capitalist healthcare is when the law forces you to recieve medical treatments you didn't consent to, and you have to pay for them.

[–] Hotspur@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 weeks ago

Customers aren’t engaging in the market enough for your tastes? Make them the market!