Reply #6: Answered your own question. [View All]

[enlightenment]

Shouldn't everyone be given the opportunity to live to their own end and not be considered just another commodity to throw away. . .

Living to one's 'own end' implies allowing nature to take it's course. What is at issue here is the extra-ordinary (and I write the word that way to focus on the 'extra' part) measures that are taken to prolong the end of life.

If someone is kept alive by virtue of a ventilator because their heart and lungs would fail without that support, is that allowing that person to come to their 'own end' - or is it unnaturally prolonging that end?

Money does determine how we live and die in this country - insurance companies make that decision every single day. It is FAR from heartless to bring the discussion around not just to 'quality of life' but also 'quality of death' issues. Most people, especially the very elderly, fear death - many fear the thought that they will be kept 'alive' long past any meaning, because of well-intentioned doctors and family members who cannot face losing them.