[jstolzen]

Had a conversation yesterday with a family member (who works in Hospice care as well as non-Hospice), who tells me that what's happening to Terri..

Apparently is done often.

I fear we've just never heard of this technique of offing those who society views don't have "quality of life", or who are too much bother to take care of.

Before yesterday's conversation, I had no idea that this is a fairly common procedure.

So, Terri's case has in a way blown the lid off of something that apparently happens fairly often in America.

I for one had NO idea that this is what we sometimes did to people when they're at end of life, but the person I spoke with yesterday insists that this is something they do almost daily.

God help us. The Euthanasia crowd has apparently gotten pretty entrenched without a lot of visibility.

Maybe that's God's real purpose for Terri here. To raise visibility of something that's affecting far more people than any of us ever knew about.

[silverleaf]

Ask your friend how many young patients are admitted to hospice care who are mentally disabled but NOT terminally ill. I would be very interested in the answer.

[RightWingMama]

Remember, the people your family member was talking about are ill. Terri was not sick! She was just brain damaged.

[Amelia]

I for one had NO idea that this is what we sometimes did to people when they're at end of life, but the person I spoke with yesterday insists that this is something they do almost daily....Maybe that's God's real purpose for Terri here. To raise visibility of something that's affecting far more people than any of us ever knew about.

It is very common, and the other night CNN interviewed some people you've never heard of who had similar battles between spouses & parents in similar situations. Biggest difference was, the battles didn't receive national publicity.

I agree that it's about time for a national discussion. Hopefully one without all the wild accusations and finger-pointing.

[TaxRelief]

I've done a little "Hospice research" as well. You know what they say: Follow the Money.

How do hospices generate income?

1. In general, each hospice has a fixed number of beds.
2. Medicaid and other insurance companies pay a fixed dollar amount per patient per day.
3. Income appears to be fixed.

However...

1. People come to hospice to die.
2. When they die they also donate money to hospice.

Therefore

1. Income can be increased.
2. They must increase the number of deaths per bed.

Conclusion: The only way to significantly increase hospice income, is by increasing the number of deaths per bed.