Insurance companies, for example, prefer a diagnosis of vegetative to one of minimally conscious, Dr Laureys says, because no expensive rehabilitation is required for those in a vegetative state.

• 比如，保险公司总是倾向医院能作出植物人的诊断，而不是最小意识状态的诊断。因为植物人就不需要接受任何昂贵的恢复治疗了。