Yeah that's the author's point. Chronically ill or terminally ill patients receiving heroic care, not an otherwise healthy 30 year old who has an acute illness.

Yeah that's the author's point. Chronically ill or terminally ill patients receiving heroic care, not an otherwise healthy 30 year old who has an acute illness. If you're 80 and in poor health, recovery from broken ribs is likely to be extremely difficult and painful.