$25,000 Pacemaker for 105 Year Old Lady

I recently heard on the radio a story about a 105 year old lady who needed a pacemaker. The cost of the pacemaker was $25,000!
This is pure exploitation. Several companies make simple fixed rate non-programmable units that are only a few thousand dollars, maybe even a few hundred dollars.
The doctor who recommended the high cost unit probably a financial relationship with the pacemaker company; there is something going on. The doctor may say he has to have a programmable unit, but that is baloney.
When this elderly heart is sick enough for a pacemaker it will probably last only a year at the most. The little lady is going to die soon because the heart is old and sick. The conduction system has gone out. She won't last long. There is no need for a $25,000 pacemaker.
If the doctor will not cooperate call one of the pacemaker companies (Google: "pacemaker manufaturers") and get the model number for their simple non-programmable pacer. Then ask for the names of doctors in your area who use the company's pacemakers.