Sigh, this is unfortunately a subject I refuse to go into much detail about, but this view was entirely crafted under the auspices of having an expensive, lifetime handicap. Pre-ACA, I lived constantly under threat of medical bankruptcy and pre-existing condition rules that were written to benefit big companies at the expense of my health. I had to make a lot of compromises, and still do, and I have very little sympathy for those who have lived a long and productive life and will do anything to stay alive, I just don't feel that way personally.
I know I take more out of the health care system than I put in. At least I can admit that. What we're dealing with in the case of the elderly is straight up denial that they could have any responsibility for their station in life now, and I'm not buying it.
It sounds very cruel. There's most certainly a balance we can strike but when politics, particularly in the US, is so two sided balance is hard to find. Picking up the elderly and forcing them to move is pretty drastic. Imagine being 10-20 years from death and having to leave your home, family, friends and community. When your partner dies you're going to be pretty damn lonely and I doubt you'll survive long - or want to survive long.
>> "not counting the immense medical bills they'll probably try to rack up on their way out the door. Want that new hip at 74? Sure, just pay for it all out of your pocket."
There's absolutely no reason we can't afford to provide free health care to everyone. Health care should not be something you get if you can afford it. I doubt you'll be espousing this same view when you can't walk due to a bad hip and can't afford a new one possibly due to factors outside of your control. If we can afford endless, unnecessary wars, and the bailing out of large financial institutions we can afford to help everyone to lead bearable lives with adequate medical care and decent financial benefits where necessary. Sure there will be people who abuse those systems but from what I've read it's negligible.