Posted by Donny Ferguson at LP.org:
Patients turning to Oregon’s state-run health program for assistant were denied treatment and urged to consider suicide instead.
53-year-old Randy Stroup of Dexter, Ore., looking for assistance to pay for his prostate cancer treatment, turned to the state-run Oregon Health Plan. Plan administrators responded with a letter informing Stroup the goverment would not cover his treatment, but it would pay for physician-assisted suicide.
"It dropped my chin to the floor," Stroup told FOX News. "[How could they] not pay for medication that would help my life, and yet offer to pay to end my life?"
The letter, which follows guidelines set by Oregon’s state legislature, has been sent to other cancer patients, urging them to consider suicide rather than compete with other patients for the limited pool of taxpayer money.
The Obama health care takeover currently being written in the House includes a section requiring the sick and elderly to attend meetings on "end of life planning."
5 responses so far ↓
1 Donald Raymond Lake // Jul 25, 2009 at 12:12 pm
As the state agent visits the hospital bed and stands on the oxygen line ????
2 Michael H. Wilson // Jul 25, 2009 at 2:19 pm
First this is in poor taste. Mr Strop died a few days ago I understand.
Secondly it is an old story and everyone involved pretty much feels that it was a PR blunder rather than state policy.
3 Michael H. Wilson // Jul 25, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I spelled the gentelman’s name wrong. It is Stroup.
More interesting would be for the LP to suggest doing something about the deaths annually from unnecessary surgery of which there are thought to be about 12,000. Do we charge doctors with a crime at that point? Or what would libertarian suggest?
4 Grammar Police // Jul 25, 2009 at 6:54 pm
“Patients turning to Oregon’s state-run health program for assistant were denied treatment and urged to consider suicide instead.”
Does Mr. Ferguson mean “program for assistance”?
5 Cool Hand Luke // Jul 25, 2009 at 9:47 pm
SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!!
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