Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

Laura Smith, University Of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit organization with a focus on securing patient’s choice to end-of-life care, made the case Wednesday for the inclusion of the controversial practice in the health care reform debate.

“It’s time to go beyond fearful charges and speak calmly and rationally. Compassion & Choices is helping to move our nation’s health care debate beyond misinformation about ‘death panels’ and ‘killing granny,’” said Compassion & Choices President Barbara Coombs during a symposium in Washington, D.C.

“Too many people suffer needlessly in their dying and we as a nation must do better,” Coombs added.

Jacques D’Ambroise, ballet dancer, choreographer, and founder of the National Dance Institute, was also in attendance. The renowned dancer discussed his late wife, Carolyn George, and the dignity that end-of-life care gave to his wife’s final days. D’Ambroise told the crowd that he expected the same treatment someday.

Lisa Osborne, the daughter of Linda Fleming, who was the first person in the state of Washington to utilize the Death with Dignity Act, said her mother had a very brief struggle with pancreatic cancer.

“One of the things that happens with pancreatic cancer is most people don’t have symptoms until the cancer is so far along that they can’t do anything about it. And it’s a very aggressive cancer,” Osborne said.

She explained the Death with Dignity Act in the state of Washington said there are certain conditions that have to be met before someone can utilize the Act.

“More people apply to be able use it than are actually approved,” she said.