I would think that any responsible person would want their physician, family, friends and clergy to know what to do if they could no longer convey their wishes to their caregivers. I have been working in the health care field for over twelve years and have seen more families than I care to remember anguish over these matters. If their loved one had made these decisions in advance, the choices would have been clear as to what was the right thing to do. Namely, carry out the debilitated person’s wishes.

It is discouraging when I see so many people simply believing what they see on TV or read on someone’s blog when they should be going to the source and reading the information themselves. Read the document and make your own decision. You can find it here: http://www.ethics.va.gov/YLYC/YLYC_First_edition_20001001.pdf

There’s your answer!

May I ask, where was Obama in 1997? Was he president? No? Oh gee, then why is he being blamed for this?

By the way, isn’t it a LAW that all hospitals have to supply patients with information like this?

And, like a previous writer commented, there is no compulsion in this: just read it, trash it, use it or pass it on. The VA can’t make you do anything…heck, isn’t this the same writer that complains about how ineffective the VA is!

You frankly are an irresponsible adult if you don’t research a living will, your choice in whether you sign one, and thinking what an extension of your life, via drugs and tubes and unconcious, will do not only for the quality of life but as to your family!

But the sheep seem worried, as they don’t think for themselves now, that some boogeyman will decide their fate, Oh Wait they already do, It’s Called Denial Of Service By The Insurance Companies, After Paying For years The Premiums, So The Investors And Execs Can Keep Them Profits Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I fought for freedom, not right of the government to kill me as soon as they deem me a non-productive Lemming.

Get onboard to save your life or just take the drip now!

I’m in agreement with Duff on this one but most likely for different reasons. Having been and still am a patient in the VA Healthcare System, since 1967 I have seen the document spoken of as well as several others that came before it, that deal with choices for end of life care.

A Veteran has the option of not filling out any of these documents that are referred to as “Living Wills”, and will get the standard, heroic efforts treatment at the end, the tubes, hoses, wires, needles the whole nine yards. But if this is not your choice of how you want to exit the world you are offered to express your desires, four choices not offered are assisted suicide, suicide, euthanasia or when to terminate treatment.

“Your life, your choice” is a reasonable document that deals with such factors as religious preferences, how the patient wants to have it at the end such as to be at home, in a limited care facility or what ever choice the Veteran may want, there is no list to chose from. Ideally this process is done when the patient enters the system and is reviewed periodically.

The only “Death Panel” is yourself. It is a very sad day when radical right wing politicos make a political pi**ing contest out of such a personal and basic decision.

ALLONS,
Byron Skinner

Bente Petersen