In 250 words or less

Following retirement, I have had two bypass operations. The total cost ran into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Medicare and my HMO paid for it.

Who am I that this magnitude of resources should be spent on me? And what have I done since to justify this investment on my life?

In the future, with a growing population of older people, it is likely that as a country we are not going to be able give everybody a bypass operation simply because they want or need one.

Unless you have the money to pay for it yourself, medical care at this level will have to be rationed. Let's say out of 50 people who want and need it, only one will actually get it. You might even be asked to write an essay in 250 words so less why you should be the one chosen.

You can say there are many more places you want to see. See your grandchildren grow up. Take care of some unfinished business. All that is good but may not be good enough. I will give you a hint on how to get to the top of the list: think Mother Teresa. Does that help?