Too Much Spent Dying?

This article in Salon.com, "Harry and Louise Must Die," raises many of the questions that will undoubtedly  attract the most attention because a) Boomers are getting closer and closer to the days of departure and b) medical costs are the topic of the hour in the context of health care "reform" debates. Whether you favor nationalized health care or not, the issues raised here are important socially, pyschologically, spiritually, and finally economically. Some form of hospice seems preferable to me, in many cases, but what worries me most is that the conversation and decisions about all these matters will be made by politicians and bureaucrats who do not have a fundamental respect for the sanctity of human life in the first place. From that foundation, all manner of mischief may come. It's a small step from one imposed form of hospice to the duty to (voluntarily) die to the loss of the right to live (involuntary euthanasia). We are on very treacherous and slippery terrain here, and I'd prefer "bioethicists" of a truly Christian cast of mind, not eugenic bean counters or those who value only certain levels of quality of life or organ farmers looking for replacement parts for elite members of the exceptional ruling class. Who wants to be weighed in the calculus in the final days and be given a lethal injection? You may be required to check off an answer to that question someday on Federal HHS Form T70-666-70, Certificate of Termination Verification.