BONENT Specialty Training Assessment and Review (STAR) Practice Exam 2026 - Free BONENT Practice Questions and Study Guide

The choice of some individuals to opt for death rather than pursue dialysis treatment before 1973 can be attributed to the extreme financial burden associated with the cost of dialysis at that time. Before the establishment of Medicare's End-Stage Renal Disease Program in 1972, dialysis treatment was not covered by insurance, placing a heavy financial strain on patients and their families. The high expenses associated with dialysis could lead many to consider the option of refusing treatment altogether, as they weighed the financial implications against the difficulties of managing ongoing health care needs.

Other factors, while potentially relevant, did not have as significant an impact on the decision-making process regarding treatment options. The complexity of the procedures, the length of treatment, and the availability of treatment centers were indeed challenges faced by patients, but the overriding concern for many was the prohibitive cost that directly influenced their access to necessary care. Thus, the financial burden was a decisive factor in the decision-making process for patients contemplating dialysis prior to 1973.