End-of-life planning is part of giving care

Republicans had only to throw down the gauntlet for President Obama to cave in. Just days after it went into effect, he removed his own regulation that would have reimbursed doctors for discussing end of-life-care planning with Medicare patients. Republicans argue that such discussions would pressure the elderly to prematurely end their lives and open the door to physician-assisted suicide and “government-mandated euthanasia.”

Comparing these two “final solutions” is ludicrous as the former is voluntary and the latter is imposed on people against their will. What’s more, the only mention of euthanasia has come from Republican fear mongers, who also threaten that end-of-life-care recommendations would be influenced by the need to cut government spending. Ironically, House Republicans are promising to cut domestic spending by $100 billion, much of which will likely come out of Medicare and Social Security, and science and medical research.

Are we to believe Republicans will make this up by reaching into their own deep pockets and forking over additional tax dollars to extend the lives of the elderly, the terminally ill and the poor? I think not. Every American — not just the wealthy, educated and relatively young — has a right to be fully informed of all end-of-life options and the potential pros and cons of each. The right to choose when and how we die is as basic as the right to choose how we live.

I promise to respect the wishes of those who choose to “live” out their final years tethered to a respirator and a feeding tube, and lacking their mental faculties. All I ask in return is that I be afforded the same courtesy, even if I opt for physician-assisted suicide. Bipartisanship begins with the acceptance that my rights end at your toes, and your rights end at mine.

Sheryl Jedlinski

Palatine