But the pill just keeps you alive, who takes care of you?
If my family wants me around to talk with me, even if this is only made possible by a "sleeping pill," don't go shouting down my family. This is not rocket science in 24/7 intensive care.
How about your family. Sorry someone like you may not have somone who would do that. Or someone like you would not take care of a family member. You are getting things mixed up and making to broad a statement and question. What really costs money is intensive care in a hospital. It is not someone who is brain damaged and needs basic nursing care. Food, water, bathing, teeth brushed. All this COULD be done by family members but most will NOT do it as the GOVERNEMT now pays for it. So the family could do it. Would it be hard absolutely. Espically for the modern family. One where there a no or few children. Where children move away and expect the goverment to take care of momma and daddy etc. It is the breakdown of the family unit caused by the government programs that families feel no need to care for their elders or their sick. I know people talk about the high cost of Nursing Home care but that is bogus as it like everthing else depends on where you live. In Arkansas it is 1800 a month. Surly family members along with the patients SS check could if they HAD too pay the bill. But you are right they will not and no one will make them. Not even you.
You seem to be working under the assumption that everyone that is in a coma or that has been diagnosed as being in PVS are quadraplegics or something. Depending on how long they have been stricken many of the people will need minimal care and/or some physical therapy until their muscles restrengthen and they are able to care for themselves.
Everyone in a coma/PVS is not put to death like Terry Schiavo, so you can save a few tax dollars. Most coma/PVS patients stay alive until they die of natural causes. If you are worried about your tax money it would seem a cheaper option to wake these people up than have their families insist that the government pay for them to be cared for while they are in a coma until natural death occurs.