AMA Says ‘No’ to Physician-Assisted Suicide

[Standing Wolf]

Perhaps if contributors to this thread were simply to ignore the one poster trying to make it all about politics...?

My own opinion is that if an individual has a terminal illness or is suffering a great amount of pain, and is of sound mind, they should be legally able to end his or her own life. And while physicians or other health care professionals should not be forced to participate or assist, neither they nor family members or friends of the afflicted should be subject to legal punishments for doing so.

[Admiral Ackbar]

The insurance companies ARE the death panels. They make decisions everyday for millions of americans that will end their lives or bring them closer to ending their lives because the insurance companies refuse to pay for preventive healthcare.

But medicaid does pay for the elderly to be hooked up to tubes and kept alive. I'm asking for what purpose? Where is the quality of life for the person laying comatose in a bed with tubes and life support. They aren't living, they are existing because the family member can't let them go.

It sounds harsh but those resources could be going to someone who has a lot of their life ahead of them.

I don't want the government involved in making decisions for me and I don't want religion involved in influencing my rights.

I also see the dark side in which the decision could be made from a position of greed.

It's a complex issue because it's an individual situation for each person.

See Trish the issue is you asked for what purpose? You dont even have the right to ask that question. You just made it a public decision not a personal one. Understand that?

[countryboy]

The insurance companies ARE the death panels. They make decisions everyday for millions of americans that will end their lives or bring them closer to ending their lives because the insurance companies refuse to pay for preventive healthcare.

But medicaid does pay for the elderly to be hooked up to tubes and kept alive. I'm asking for what purpose? Where is the quality of life for the person laying comatose in a bed with tubes and life support. They aren't living, they are existing because the family member can't let them go.

It sounds harsh but those resources could be going to someone who has a lot of their life ahead of them.

I don't want the government involved in making decisions for me and I don't want religion involved in influencing my rights.

I also see the dark side in which the decision could be made from a position of greed.

It's a complex issue because it's an individual situation for each person.

Which insurance companies are doing this? These days insurance companies push preventative health care. In fact, preventative visits are usually even copay free.

Nobody is forced to be hooked up to tubes and kept alive, that is, and should be up to the individual. It's why living wills are so important.

[Trish]

See Trish the issue is you asked for what purpose? You dont even have the right to ask that question. You just made it a public decision not a personal one. Understand that?

Yes, I understand and that's the conundrum.

[Trish]

Which insurance companies are doing this? These days insurance companies push preventative health care. In fact, preventative visits are usually even copay free.

Nobody is forced to be hooked up to tubes and kept alive, that is, and should be up to the individual. It's why living wills are so important.

Yes, some do promote preventive healthcare and yes some do pay for it minus the co-pay but not all insurance companies are the same. That's why people have a choice in deciding what coverage they want. Some get the coverage they can afford. That's a whole other conversation because I see from Peter's comment that we are getting off topic.

[gamewell45]

Ah.. so there is $ amount put on human life? Much like the calculation made when it is time to put down a dog or a cat? What about the fact we say that is appropriate to take away the rights of millions if it will save just one life. If you are going to say that then why not say we will spend whatever it takes to save just one life

I agree with you Admiral, you are spot on 100% on this.

[Captdon]

So here's my 2cents. I also am not sure how I feel about this decision. I want to be able to make that decision myself and I've already talked about taking a road-trip when the time comes. I'd also be curious to know whether religion influenced this decision.

I don't want to hijack the conversation but I don't think you can talk about end of life and not talk about the cost associated with healthcare.

There are many situations in which a person is kept alive because the family cannot let them go. This results in high medical costs which contributes to higher insurance rates.

I agree with most of this but I couldn't put a price on my mother.

[Captdon]

See Trish the issue is you asked for what purpose? You dont even have the right to ask that question. You just made it a public decision not a personal one. Understand that?

We told the doctors to make sure our mother didn't suffer from pain and wasn't starved, We also told the doctors to make no special effort to keep her alive. It was a personal decision. For the three of us there at the time it was a difficult thing to do. Don't mock me or my siblings.

[Trish]

I agree with most of this but I couldn't put a price on my mother.

As a daughter I understand exactly what you are saying. As a mother I would not want to put my sons in that position.

Since I was in my early teens I would think about my life before me and would consider how I would want to leave it. It's kinda weird that a teen would think about those things but I actually really did. I still think about it but with more clarity. I want to decide when and where. I don't want to be on my deathbed with people standing around me or coming in to say goodbye.

My plan is to go away for one final grand adventure. Before I go I will spend time with each of my children. When I return it will be in a urn with specific instructions to my sons on where to spread my ashes.

[Admiral Ackbar]

We told the doctors to make sure our mother didn't suffer from pain and wasn't starved, We also told the doctors to make no special effort to keep her alive. It was a personal decision. For the three of us there at the time it was a difficult thing to do. Don't mock me or my siblings.

Capdon. I am 100% not mocking you. I have made that call twice in my life. But what we are talking about is not that. It is proactive suicide by a doctor.