Misc How much for your kidney?

Cave Johnson · 07-13-2010, 10:59 AM

Apparently the cost of a patient in dialysis (for the 5 year waiting period) is roughly 150K.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.co...ney-worth.html

The math is simple. In a country the size of the United States, a payment, either direct (cash, vouchers, or tax credits) or indirect (tuition, charitable donations, etc.) of, say, $20,000 to kidney donors would probably produce enough donated kidneys each year to eliminate or drastically reduce the backlog of approximately 83,000 people waiting for their turn to receive a donated kidney. This financial inducement would cost about $1.7 billion. The federal government currently pays 100 percent of the cost for treating most people with end-stage renal disease. With the average annual cost estimated at about $30,000 to maintain one person on dialysis, the taxpayers are paying about $8 billion a year to dialyze fellow citizens in kidney failure. Furthermore, people usually wait about five years to receive a donated kidney unless they are fortunate enough to have a living donor offer one of their two healthy kidneys. Thus, the actual total cost to the taxpayers of maintaining fellow citizens on dialysis for five years is approximately $40 billion.

rambleonthruthefog · 07-13-2010, 11:48 AM

i'd consider selling it for a couple million. but since were overpopulated ill just keep it for myself or an immediate/young relative.

ClevelandBronco · 07-13-2010, 02:19 PM

I'd have a sliding scale that would depend on how much the recipient annoys me.

rageeumr · 07-13-2010, 02:27 PM

I don't know the answer to this question. I can tell you with absolute certainty, however, that the answer is multiple orders of magnitude higher than their $20,000 number.

DJ's left nut · 07-13-2010, 02:30 PM

Depends.

If I move to the top of the list in the event that I need an extra kidney of my own some day - I'd sell mine for about $50K.

At that point, I have the safety net of knowing that I'll be taken care of should I actually desperately need that spare, but I've also, in effect, mortgaged the spare.

"Make your kidney work for you"

RJ · 07-13-2010, 02:34 PM

I'm saving mine for that special someone.

**Iowanian** · 07-13-2010, 03:47 PM

I'd give a kidney to a friend, family or person I felt inclined to let have it, but I don't think mine would be for sale.

Detoxing · 07-13-2010, 04:15 PM

Mine would have a "For Rent" sign on it. And they better give it back in good shape too. Or they won't be getting that deposit back.

**CrazyPhuD** · 07-13-2010, 04:34 PM

WTH I thought the Doc would give me a pill and I'd regrow my kidney...

Infidel Goat · 07-13-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Depends.

If I move to the top of the list in the event that I need an extra kidney of my own some day - I'd sell mine for ....

At that point, I have the safety net of knowing that I'll be taken care of should I actually desperately need that spare, but I've also, in effect, mortgaged the spare.
"

This answer is correct, I think.

The only ethical qualm I have is that the govt would set the figure at such a low threshhold that only those living in poverty would do so. $50,000 might not be the magic number, but I'd be comfortable if the US govt set a figure that 50% of US citizens would accept (whether it be <$25,000 or >$75,000). It'd be higher than a lot of people would like ("quit spending my money)--but I think it is probably more egalitarian than fleecing the poor. And more importantly, I think it would be good for health care.

**bevischief** · 07-13-2010, 04:59 PM

Show me the money!

I want enough to pay for another one if needed and have fun.

seclark · 07-13-2010, 05:24 PM

tree fiddy
40oz
sec

digger · 07-13-2010, 06:08 PM

FYI, sullie is so the ghey....

View Poll Results: Would you sell a kidney for
20K	2	7.14%
50K	7	25.00%
150K	2	7.14%
$1M+	14	50.00%
Only if someone drugs and leaves me in a bathtub	2	7.14%
Gaz's kidney only	1	3.57%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

07-13-2010, 10:59 AM
Cave Johnson MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: E. Bumf***istan Casino cash: $76023	How much for your kidney? Apparently the cost of a patient in dialysis (for the 5 year waiting period) is roughly 150K. http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.co...ney-worth.html The math is simple. In a country the size of the United States, a payment, either direct (cash, vouchers, or tax credits) or indirect (tuition, charitable donations, etc.) of, say, $20,000 to kidney donors would probably produce enough donated kidneys each year to eliminate or drastically reduce the backlog of approximately 83,000 people waiting for their turn to receive a donated kidney. This financial inducement would cost about $1.7 billion. The federal government currently pays 100 percent of the cost for treating most people with end-stage renal disease. With the average annual cost estimated at about $30,000 to maintain one person on dialysis, the taxpayers are paying about $8 billion a year to dialyze fellow citizens in kidney failure. Furthermore, people usually wait about five years to receive a donated kidney unless they are fortunate enough to have a living donor offer one of their two healthy kidneys. Thus, the actual total cost to the taxpayers of maintaining fellow citizens on dialysis for five years is approximately $40 billion.
Posts: 8,145

07-13-2010, 11:48 AM	#2
rambleonthruthefog Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Casino cash: $399090	i'd consider selling it for a couple million. but since were overpopulated ill just keep it for myself or an immediate/young relative. __________________ Can't is for p*ssys
Posts: 1,307

07-13-2010, 02:19 PM	#3
ClevelandBronco Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Casino cash: $141039	I'd have a sliding scale that would depend on how much the recipient annoys me.
Posts: 18,375

07-13-2010, 02:27 PM	#4
rageeumr Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oooooooooolathe Casino cash: $304776	I don't know the answer to this question. I can tell you with absolute certainty, however, that the answer is multiple orders of magnitude higher than their $20,000 number.
Posts: 2,056

07-13-2010, 02:30 PM	#5
DJ's left nut Gonna take a break for awhile. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $34459	Depends. If I move to the top of the list in the event that I need an extra kidney of my own some day - I'd sell mine for about $50K. At that point, I have the safety net of knowing that I'll be taken care of should I actually desperately need that spare, but I've also, in effect, mortgaged the spare. "Make your kidney work for you" __________________ It's my own fault for expecting the Titanic to beat the iceberg this year. Pussies.
Posts: 17,180

07-13-2010, 02:34 PM	#6
RJ Bon vivant....occasionally. Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $3132	I'm saving mine for that special someone.
Posts: 14,744

07-13-2010, 03:47 PM	#7
Iowanian Hey Jack! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Jolly Barnyard Casino cash: $417233	I'd give a kidney to a friend, family or person I felt inclined to let have it, but I don't think mine would be for sale. __________________ "Silence is Golden. Duct Tape is silver"
Posts: 48,116

07-13-2010, 04:15 PM	#8
Detoxing Dyslexic Speed Reader Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $449738801	Mine would have a "For Rent" sign on it. And they better give it back in good shape too. Or they won't be getting that deposit back.
Posts: 16,195

07-13-2010, 04:34 PM	#9
CrazyPhuD Meow Join Date: Jun 2005 Casino cash: $1601173	WTH I thought the Doc would give me a pill and I'd regrow my kidney... __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"
Posts: 6,321

07-13-2010, 04:59 PM	#11
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fargo Casino cash: $18265016	Show me the money! I want enough to pay for another one if needed and have fun. __________________ Lex and Terry listen to it! http://lexandterry.com/ "The republic can survive a Barack Obama. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president." unknown Corporation Nation watch it. The Exploding Autoimmune Epidemic by Dr Trent watch it. Dr Mary's Monkey watch it.
Posts: 21,690

07-13-2010, 05:24 PM	#12
seclark MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: nemo Casino cash: $222	tree fiddy 40oz sec __________________ "Mr. seclark. Wrong for gravy, wrong for jelly, wrong for biscuits." -rj "If every Planeteer who was disliked by another Planeteer stopped being a Planeteer we wouldn't have any Planeteers." -rj
Posts: 9,298

07-13-2010, 06:08 PM	#13
digger Thread I will end you....... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kansas City, KS Casino cash: $11989926	FYI, sullie is so the ghey....
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