Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

Little Charlie Gard has died. His parents did their best fighting on behalf of their 11 month old to receive the experimental treatment they thought might save his life. But a British court blocked them from doing so. The court saw Charlie's case as hopeless. Which brings us to the question of who should decide whether a child should have life-saving treatment? The courts or parents? In Britain, the government ultimately decides who'll receive treatment. That's what nationalized health care does. In the U.S., health care decisions—even if they are long shots, are left to the parents. It was a sad day for Charlie and his parents. But maybe this tragedy will serve as a wakeup call to Americans who still think that the government should ultimately control health care.