…across patient populations, builds better health care systems, and makes a world that is a better fit for all.” The action by the NIH and the updating of the 504 regulations to prohibit discrimination based on disability by health care providers receiving federal funds are victories for disability activists. Nonetheless, we still face threats. The medical system continues to be inefficient, fragmented and profit driven. The “better dead than disab…
…ed availability of this option might lead people to end their lives for altruistic purposes when personal doubts remain. Especially with the potential encouragement of a medical professional. For that reason, and others, we believe that Illinois should not pass this legislation and join the 11 jurisdictions (California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington) that have passed…
…Ezekiel Emanuel on the social factors that motivate usage of the suicide drugs. “The dominant reasons for wanting euthanasia or assisted suicide are psychological and involve control factors,” said Ezekiel Emanuel, chair of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania’s medical school. He noted that most of those who have used aid-in-dying laws are white, well insured and college-educated. “These are people who are used to c…
…the title echoes his latest book (THE LIFE YOU CAN SAVE Acting Now to End World Poverty), in which Singer argues that individuals who are economically comfortable, or safe, in developed countries should do more, and have a responsibility to do more, to help end poverty and starvation in developing countries. Many people, both university students and community members, attended the lecture, but not everyone was interested to hear about the new boo…
…affect only a small number of people. It will affect all of us! I need to trust my doctor, to trust in the relationship and know that they’ll provide care, not assist in killing me! In a profit-driven, broken and overwhelmed system, already rife with health disparities and biases, we don’t need more mistrust by adding lethal drugs as a medical treatment. We need to ensure health equity, improving care for patients throughout life and at the end of…
