In recent days there has been a vocal reaction to one aspect of one proposal by the United States House of Representatives. Found in the work toward Health Care Reform is the idea of covering "end of life" counseling.
Those with such a negative reaction, have seemed to think that this provision would lead to a sooner death for our weak and aged citizens. Some have even called this concept a license to kill.
For a valuable perspective on end of life counseling, I would encourage anyone to contact a physician, a nurse, or a hospital chaplin. These people have all dealt with the dying and have experience and knowledge of those who were prepared and who had prepared their families.The foresight to choose someone to make our decisions when we are no longer able brings a substantial peace at the time of death. To know your expressed wishes will be carried out is comforting. And the ability to deny extreme measures in advance can be a freeing gift to our families.
A provision that would cover the cost of a physicians consultation with the dying could extend this peace and comfort to many more families. Christian congregations are frequently offering classes for preparing an "advance directive". A full and honest discussion, now, can relieve the fear any of us may feel at the time of our death.
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