A veteran from Ohio has claimed that he was denied a heart transplant because he refused to take a Covid vaccine.
Ken Long, 54, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure almost a year ago, after he fell ill on a family vacation to Texas, his wife, Christina, told Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom.
He was eventually sent to the Christ Hospital in Cincinnati for a heart transplant and would receive the next heart that came in as long as his body was otherwise healthy, “she said.
When the tests returned with 'He was in perfect health other than a very sick heart', it became to sign consent forms, and hospital staff told the family that he should get a Covid vaccine.
But Ken immediately refused to take the shot.
“If I decide something, I mean it and when it dies, it's what it is,” he told WRKC.
'They don't know enough and plus it has already done a lot of damage – people have said blood clots. There are well -known heart issues and our personal religious rights. '
Initially, Christina said she did not agree with her husband's decision.
Ken Long, 54, says he was denied a heart transplant after he refused to get the Covid vaccine
The Christ Hospital Health Network defended his decision
“To hear that he was so sick and may not live and that they would not give him a transplant because of his personal choice and religious beliefs, based on a vaccine, it was simply absolutely amazing,” Christina told the interest group.
“So then you go into the fight-of-flight mode,” she said. 'I mean, you are a mess, you are turned upside down, nothing makes sense, you don't trust anyone, you are afraid of saying what you feel or think because you are being judged on it.
'You are afraid of asking questions because you want him to receive the best care – and the scare tactics are real. I lived it for a few years, it's real. '
The worried woman explained that she just wanted to do everything you can do to save someone's life – and then I had to regroup myself.
“It's his right,” she said.
So instead of giving him a heart transplant, doctors are under emergency operations to install a left ventricular assist device to pump blood to his heart.
But although the device can offer long -term support, it is not a solution.
“I can hardly do anything when the power goes out,” he said. 'I have to worry about my batteries and my charger.
Christina and Ken Long spoke with the proponents of the Ohio for medical freedom about the situation
“You can't get wet, so showering is a problem.”
And while Ken continues to live with the failing heart, he has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, serious risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, cardiot disorder and stage three chronic kidney disease.
'If they know they had granted the gift of life from someone's family who chose to give it, he would have already been back to work, our lives would have resumed, he could still ride on his Harley And a daily job, “Christina complained.
“He would be able to take care of his family, he could play with his grandchildren and do things with his children – the list goes on.”
An online fundraising has now been set up to help the family with medical costs' and to allow Ken and his family to concentrate on what really matters – obtaining a new heart and healing.
“Every dollar counts and together we can have a significant impact on his journey,” said fundraising.
It had picked up $ 670 from Sunday.
Instead of giving him a heart transplant, doctors know under emergency operations to install a left ventricular assist device to pump blood to his heart
And although Ken could now simply seek care in another hospital without the vaccine determination, he is now hopeful that the Christ Hospital will reconsider its policy.
“I am 54 years old, but there are now children who are sick, and they are there with beliefs not to vaccinate and that's why I do this,” he said.
“It is more important that these children get the chance to live.”
The Ohio House introduced a bill in 2024 that would prevent hospitals in OHIO patients from discriminating against refusing vaccines.
But while the bill came out of the committee, it was never voted by the entire house.
In the meantime, the Christ Hospital Health Network said that it is their policy not to provide transplants to those who refuse to be vaccinated.
“At the Christ Hospital Hospital Health Network, the goal with every organ transplantation is to concentrate on helping every patient have long -term success and lead a long and healthy life after surgery,” the hospital system said in a statement to WRKC.
“Our expert multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, care coordinators and social workers carefully evaluate each individual to determine his suitability and placement on the waiting list,” said it.
'Organ's gift is a gift from another patient and family, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the gift is used with the maximum chance of success as soon as transplanted.
'Patients who receive transplants are immunosuppressively suppressed for the rest of their lives. Vaccins play a crucial role in reducing the risk of a patient on life -threatening infections, especially in the first year after transplantation.
“Decisions about being eligible for transplantation include discussions between our providers, patients and their families and are always made in the interest of the patient after established national guidelines for organ transplantation.”
