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The U.S Times

December 10, 2019

Dignified Death or Congested with

Regret?

Medicaid has just recently announced

that it will no longer offer to pay for
medical expenses that exceed the
$10,000 mark.Threat to the nation or
threat to the individual? Experts
predict there will be an increase in
assisted suicide rates by up to 12% in
2025.

by: Gina Gregory

In the city of Greensboro, North Carolina a 41

year old man by the name of Samuel
Johnson has committed suicide with the aid
of a licensed physician. The practice was first

What do proponents of
physician-assisted suicide
have to say?

legalized in Oregon in 1994. The practice is

protected under the Death with Dignity Act.
To qualify for physician-assisted suicide, an

individual must be diagnosed with a terminal

illness with no more than six months to live.
They must also be mentally capable of
making the decision on their own. Many argue
that this practice is unjust and devalues

human life. Others argue that an individual

should have the autonomy to do as they wish

Samuel Johnson. Photo taken by
PicInc. 09/02/2019

with their body. This issue has been ongoing

for decades and the nation has yet to have a
final say.

Which states have legalized

the practice of
physician-assisted suicide?
Oregon-November 8, 1994
Washington-November 4, 2008
Vermont-May 20, 2013
North Carolina-December 3, 2015
New York- January 5, 2017

Page 11. Is nuclear warfare
a threat to the nation or a
defense?

Page 35. Cindy Wesley, the first
female president.

What do opponents of
physician-assisted suicide
have to say?

The case for many of their arguments
is abuse. They fear that as more
individuals have access to the option,
there will be a rise in assisted suicide
rates. They fear that those who
cannot afford medical care will choose
the option, as it seems more
reasonable. The main target group
they point to are the elderly. They use
the phrase elder abuse for the basis
of most of their arguments.
Opponents look at alternatives to
assisted suicide such as palliative
care (care for the terminally ill). Is the
issue based on moral views or

Supporters of physician-assisted
suicide argue that the idea of having
the choice of assisted death is
comforting. Its not only the process
itself that relieves individuals of pain,
but having options provides some
sense of relief. Their case of
argument for assisted suicide has
always been personal autonomy.
Opponents claim that those using
assisted suicide arent doing so as
intended by advocates. Supporters
also argue that the quality of life is
what matters, not the quantity. A
person living in despair and pain is
already in a state of degradation and
not allowing one to be relieved of that
pain only degrades them even further.
They argue that the individual isnt
making the choice of dying, because
they will die, but they are making the
choice of how and when they will die.

Marinelli, Carmine. Public

Opinion. Digital image. Macleans. N.p.,
27 Apr. 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.

political views?