My sister just turned 65. She has had rheumatoid arthritis since age of 30. She had a quadruple heart bypass a few years ago. 4 years ago she was told she has leukemia. I went to vista her almost 4 weeks ago because a concerned co-employee called me. My sister had been in bed for a week and had not eaten during that time. I live in another state, when I saw her condition I called 911. She was unable to get out of bed or walk and her son would go by several times a day to give her ice and help her to the bathroom. The doctor at the hospital said she had congestive heart failure. She could not eat because it would hurt her esophagus so badly. After several days they went down with a scope and discovered that it was very eroded and had ulcers. The biopsy came back indicating MRSA and a yeast infection. They began tube feeding her a few days later. At that point she was down to 73 pounds. They started her on an antibiotic for internal MRSA. After 14 days they stopped the antibiotic but she still has pain on swallowing. The hospital feels that she needs to go for long term hospital care somewhere else. The insurance will not approve it. The hospital feels that if she goes to a nursing home that she will get a virus or infection since her white blood cell count is so low. I understand the hospitals position, they are in the business to make money and they are concerned that BCBS will not pay them. Now they are contacting nursing homes to see if they will accept my sister. 1. Is there another antibiotic that they can put her on since she is not completely cured? 2. Do we have a leg to stand on regarding my sisters care? I mean can we refuse to accept BCBS choice to send her to a less skilled environment? Can they be forced to pay for long term hospital care? My sister wants to live. I want my sister to live. I don t know what to do at this point. Please help. Thank you! Paula Jones