GuestGuest and Dianavan,

I really do agree with both of your last posts. If it were up to me there would be far less "heroic" measures taken at the end of a person's life. I have seen enough tragically horrible decisions to last me the rest of my life, and probably beyond that. I really do not wish to see anyone kept on life support by a medical world that has lost its sense of direction. And, I agree, if a family wishes to keep someone "existing" by those means then they should pay for it.

HOWEVER,

My wishes are not in play here. It is the wishes of a Jewish family, and it is not just their personal opinion but their faith that is educating their decision. And since, as I understand it, in Canada your health care is paid for "cradle to grave" then the state should pay for it. If you create a single payer system then the system is liable for all costs, not just the costs it deems to be expedient.

That is one reason why, in my mind, we in the United States need to think way more carefully than we are about instituting a single payer (government pays all) system of health care.

This is really a sad situation...out of control for everyone once the media picks it up. Its Terri Schiavo all over again, almost in reverse though.

This is another story of science out pacing ethics. We can just do more medically than we have properly thought out. Unfortunately, its the weakest and those in the worst situations that have to pay the price.

After my experience with the hospice my advice to everyone is GET A LIVING WILL or some other legal document that states clearly what your wishes are. Don't leave it to the local board of physicians, the HMO, and, especially not the congress of the US.

Freightdawg