David Williams, a Vietnam war veteran, and guitarist for Madonna, Michael Jackson, Jessica Simpson, Lionel Richie and Van Halen, died at a Virginia hospital after he slipped into a coma, his family said.
Williams, who was suffering from complications related to high blood pressure, collapsed and was taken to Sentara Hospital in Hampton, Virginia. A family friend said that while Williams was in the hospital, he slipped into a coma and the hospital urged family members to “pull the plug because he had no medical insurance.” 
“This man was a Vietnam veteran and gave his life to music and still had no benefits,” the friend continued. 
The day before Williams passed away, his wife, Deborah, wrote a letter to the NY Daily News saying, “During this very difficult time where our focus should be on the nurturing and care of David, we are battling with hospital officials just to get and maintain the care he deserves, a hospital whose main interest lies in his ability to pay for his care.”