I have my flame-proof suit on, so I'll start. How many resources should be spent on palliative therapy? And at what age? Children who have yet to live their lives but have no chance to? Oldsters who are ready to check out at 80+?
Who could be saved in the meantime using those resources?
The Gubment should pay, and if the patient doesn't want the treatment? Too bad.
And how many of the screaming ravens that call for another civil war over Terri would have done so if she were, say, 102 yrs of age? Makes one wonder indeed.
None, every red-blooded American male should have the right to a pliable judge so he can kill any parent, wife, child, dog, or cat that interferes with his pursuit of pleasure.
Did I forget anything ?
Is there a shortage? If there is should it not be addressed by creating more facilities rather then with holding care?
When you get down into the details, and with real faith and trust in God, these cases really aren't as complicated as people and the media would like to make them out to be. To demand that others care for my loved ones with their resources is wrong. When my loved ones are at that point, it will be MY cross to bear, and with God's help, I will pick it up and carry it. I will feed and bathe and turn them, and make sure that they have every medication that could help, most particularly pain medication. I will do all of these simple, ordinary nursing tasks that people have done for others since time immemorial. But, where there is no reasonable hope of recovery, I think the use of extraordinary life-extending measures is selfish and wrong. So, one gets second and third and if necessary, even more opinions. And, one prays and asks for guidance. It really isn't hard.
For the record, everyone in my family dies at home of one or more of the diseases of old age. They have what is necessary-- maybe a hospital bed, intravenous feeding, and professional help in nursing if necessary. All of this is reasonable and right. They are surrounded by loving family. And, they get the pain medication that they need, unless they refuse it. They trust in God, so they are not afraid, and they use the time at the end to say goodbye and to prepare for Him. Then, God decides when the time is right, and He takes them home. I want to go the same way.
I do want to point out that many, many people makes these decisions properly, and do the right thing, even though they do not believe in God. But, He knows them, His laws are written on their hearts, and they follow Christ without knowing it.