US still has the worst, most expensive health care of any high-income country

[RSherman]

3. True and nothing less than tragic

My friend was in the hospital last October with COVID pneumonia. When he came out he had 35% lung function and had to be on oxygen. I was sitting right there when the pulmonary doctor told him he could not work anymore. (He was a big guy who worked construction). His unemployment ran out that December. He had NO income for the 3 months it took to try to get SNAP and benefits from the county. He was denied NYS disability through his job. I had to pay his bills for the 3 months. His truck was repossessed. Insurance denied a needed procedure. He drove himself to the hospital two months ago in December. They turned him away, saying they were too full. He slept in his truck. Sick and alone. He went back in and they immediately placed him in the ICU, put him on a ventilator and sedated him. He died. 63 years old. I did not even get to be with him, hold his hand, say goodbye. I am sick with grief, loss, and anger. The whole system just let him suffer and die.