] UMATILLA, Oregon (Reuters) -- Horacio Alberto ] Reyes-Camarena, a convicted murderer with failing ] kidneys, is presenting Oregon officials with a tough ] choice -- how best to keep him alive until they can ] execute him. ] ] The cash-strapped state, struggling to provide basic ] education and health care to its citizens, pays $120,000 ] a year to clean Reyes-Camarena's blood with a dialysis ] machine at Umatilla State Prison. That treatment could ] continue for a decade as he appeals his death sentence in ] the 1996 murder of an 18-year-old woman. ] ] After Reyes-Camarena's prison doctor last month concluded ] he was a good candidate for a transplant, state officials ] may consider giving him a priceless donated kidney. The ] $100,000 operation could save the state money but would ] deprive someone outside prison of a life-giving organ. This is absolutely absurd!!!! More later, too angry to make coherent arguments. |