Where do all these trachs COME from?

[SuzieVN]

I see trach (and vent) ads all over, in here, papers, online. It would appear there are, like, thousands of trach patients in homes all over the place? What is going on- where do they all come from? Why are there so many trachs? What are the major underlying causes- accidents? In general, are these unfortunates 'gorked out' types, just being kept (like in the movie "Coma") alive because family can't let go? How many are otherwise at least partially functional- they can get OOB, for example? Do some or any of them recover? Also, the co$t- is it mostly Medicaid? Medicare? Insurance- for example personal injury from an auto accident? Surely, there can't be any number of private pays for this breathtaking expense?