Life-extending Medical Procedures for the Terminally Ill

There has been much debate surrounding the death penalty and life sentence. The debate is usually about human rights and money.

Nowadays, another issue is on the rise - denying life-extending medical procedures to the terminally ill. The difference is that these people are not criminals and have not long time to live.

Current advanced medical equipment and technology can keep a person alive for so long that they live longer than expected. Even those who did not have long to live are now living a lot more than the time of death had been set for them.

The terminally ill must live under conditions of heavy and extensive treatments in hospitals to stay alive. Many patients do not prefer the excessive treatments but rather choose less aggressive care methods. Also, they don’t like being locked up in hospitals but rather go to hospice. They’d prefer a more free life than one hooked up to machines.

However, some patients prefer longer lives instead of more freedom. Their families also want to keep them alive longer, though it be under machinery.

Of course, there is the matter of humanity. Many think it wrong to let someone die if there is a way to keep them alive. If there is the chance, then they should have that chance. Opponents of life-extending medical procedures argue that, even though they can live longer, it would be under very bad conditions. Living under those circumstances are not humane either.

The problem concerning money is also significant. The cost of keeping one alive is not cheap. Families pay the expenses for doctors, medicine and other various treatments. Around $55 billion was the average used by Medicare to keep patients alive for two additional months. This is not an ignorable amount. Not only the family, but also insurance companies are burdened.

However, others state monetary value cannot be applied to a life, and that human lives are invaluable. They say it is right to keep them alive at any costs.