Terry Schiavo became overly politicized in my opinion. However, life matters. The current healthcare bill will ration healthcare to the elderly, in effect allowing them to die sooner. At least one House Bill includes taxpayer funded abortions as well. I disagree with both of these provisions. Those who are called “conservative” are often accused of caring for the unborn, but not caring for those who have been born. As one who is often called “conservative”, I find this latter accusation pure poppycock. I, personally, spend a lot of time, talent and treasure trying to ensure that all people have equal access to opportunity — caring for those who have been born so that they can share the blessings of liberty and the competitive market that is the American experiment. I know many so-called “conservatives” who work at least as hard as I do.
But back to Ms. Schiavo. In the current issue of the Economist (a subscription may be required) is a very disturbing story on the misdiagnosis of “vegitative state”. To quote:
…many people may be at risk of early termination even when they show flickering signs that their consciousness has not departed entirely.
In short, 13 years ago a study was conducted in London that “found that 40% of the patients in their hospital who had been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state, were not.” A new study finds that this 40% misdiagnosis still exists today. Of course, insurance companies benefit from a misdiagnosis and in some cases other family members benefit. I find this very disturbing. I wonder what the Pelosi healthcare bill will do for the most vulnerable of our citizens — those who can’t speak for themselves — those in a “minimally conscious state”.
