Physician-Assisted Suicide in Maryland | National Catholic Reporter

Physician-Assisted Suicide in Maryland | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I think we all agree that third party payers should have no say in when a person dies, either by withdrawing care, suggesting care be withdrawn or that euthanasia be administered.  As for second party care, it is physician assisted suicide, not physician mandated suicide.  No one is talking about that either.  What we do talk about is when the family of origin cannot let go, like in the Terri Schaivo case, where the spouse has made a compassionate decision to withdraw care.  In that case, the spouse was correct and the family wrong and how we think of marriage - as leaving the family of origin and clinging to the spouse, applies (whether the spouse is gay or straight).  In the cases we are talking about, there is no doubt who is making the decision - the patient.  That is why it is called suicide.  The traditional method is to stop eating, which for some reason removing and IV and feeding tube is considered different.  Cutting of ventilation is always considered OK by all but the most attached spouse (my mother would not do it when my Dad was essentially dead - I don't recommend such a death watch).  Physician assisted suicide happens much earlier, of course.  It has to do with chronic terminal illness, not cessation of life support.  No one should be mandated to use it, but they should not be prevented either.  There is still the lingering concern that God will give the ultimate punishment to those who chose death.  That is a painful hangover from the days when God was considered an Ogre.  Lets get over that view when having this debate - after first gettig it out in the open and discussing it.