Man refuses to leave hospital, asks to be arrested instead, dies in jail

[gollygee]

Maybe somebody else can make sense of this? It sounds like he wanted medical care, the hospital didn't want to treat him and told him he had to leave, he refused knowing he needed medical care, the police were called, he was arrested, and he died in jail.

But that assumes some things. What other possibilities are there?

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/05/man_who_refused_to_leave_hospi.html

Officers said they were dispatched to the hospital emergency room at about 5:45 a.m. when the man refused to leave.

"Officers spent a considerable amount of time trying to get the man to leave, but he continued to refuse," KDPS reported. "The man told officers he would not leave and requested to be arrested."

Officers said the individual was arrested on a valid warrant, but they did not say for what charge the warrant was issued.

"Officers transported the individual to the Kalamazoo County Jail," according to the press release. "Once at the jail, the individual stopped breathing. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) was immediately administered without success. He was pronounced dead at 7:41 a.m."

[moonbabygo]

1. That's really sad

it breaks my heart to think we can be so cruel. Why couldn't a DR. just check him out and once the police arrested him couldn't they bring him to the hospital? At that time I think the state would pick up the tab for the hospital.

[gollygee]

2. The police arrested him at the hospital

So he was there in the first place. The hospital called the police.

[moonbabygo]

3. I understand that

but, once he is under arrest that now changes his status. Wouldn't it be the duty of the police to take the hurting man to a hospital? the fact that he is already at the hospital makes the trip shorter. Am I making sense?

[Horse with no Name]

8. it is an assumption made by many that our inmates get very good medical care

republican propaganda. They don't.

[moonbabygo]

10. apparently

you are correct because he is dead

[Laurian]

4. Michigan......

That state has certainly been in the spotlight lately for blatantly disregarding citizens' well being.

I know these situations are not limited to one city or state, but this story reminded me of Michigan's Governor Snyder and his emphasis on running a state like a business, the common good be damned.

How callous and sad.

[malaise]

5. A woman died in the hospital parking lot after being roughed up last year

for the same reason - she knew she was ill.

Fuck the for profit hospitals mostly run by so called Christians.

[PersonNumber503602]

6. Yeah, people actually defended the hospital because she was being belligerent

You know, 'cause people who are medical distress are supposed to remain completely calm and rational. This new story is a bit light on the details, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a similar situation.

[malaise]

9. She knew something was seriously wrong

but the heartless racists knew otherwise. And of course some folks defended the hospital.

Maybe they should say quietly - I think I'm dying - please admit me

[moonbabygo]

11. you know

you just reminded me when I had kidney stones. I went to the emergency room and I couldn't sit in the chair to register. I kept going down on the floor trying to get relief. They called security on me. Those guys sucked. Some one with compassion who was next in line to get care stood up and told them I could have her spot.
The staff was so cruel to me, but someone called a DR. to come out, he had compassion. He said to me does it hurt less if you lay on the floor and I said yes, he told everyone to let me lie on the floor..... the rest was ok

btw I'll deliver 10 babies at once before I ever want another kidney stone

[Horse with no Name]

7. Because of republican propaganda

People assume that our inmates receive cadillac healthcare benefits (they don't). This man may have thought he would get care if he went to jail.
Very sad state of a country.

I wonder if people start dying in the streets if that will create jobs to those who pick them up?

[Dustlawyer]

12. A month ago I had to threaten the ER doctor with a lawsuit against the hospital and HER PERSONALLY

if she didn't admit my brother who they were going to discharge, even though he didn't know where he lived and couldn't walk. He was yellow and weighed 106 lbs. They admitted him, but only for one night and only because of the threat of a lawsuit from his attorney brother (me). He was released 9 days later as he was dx with advanced cirrhosis of the liver, but at least he was diagnosed and properly treated. Imagine if it was you and your attorney didn't drive you to the hospital!

[Octafish]

13. Hospitals are businesses, consider themselves 5-Star Hotels

You have to ask how much? You can't afford the treatment.

Most importantly: Glad your brother has you for his brother.