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Well said, Kathy. My fear is that the final decision could be made by a worker at an HMO computer terminal! Think about it: "This "Jones" person has cost us a lot of money, and according to the printout, is past middle age, and only has a few kids...we could save THOUSANDS of dollars if we put him out of our..I mean HIS misery before the end of this fiscal month." If anyone thinks that is not a possible scenario, let me know the last time your employer, or whoever provides your medical benefits sent you a letter about improving or giving you MORE coverage, or REDUCING your expenses for whatever coverage you have? Maybe in dreams, but not in real life. Anytime I see an envelope from the "Human resources" dept, I get nervous. If HMO's were such a wonderful idea, they would not need to spend millions of dollars in advertising, to convince them how great it is to have a lesser choice of medical providers, and possibly have to pass local hospitals to travel miles to the nearest approved facility! The worst part is gagging the doctors right to suggest further treatment and tests. ANYTIME the bottom line of a financial report is considered more important than the best possible medical care, I feel it is immoral. [OO] LOOKING FOR RADIOS! Ken Becker [log in to unmask] On Sat, 14 Dec 1996, Kathie Tollifson wrote: > I appreciate the time and thought that went into Jan's posting on euthanasia > and PD, and I admit it is a subject I have given much thought to. Again I > regret that the expression of any pro-life sentiment on this list evokes a > defensive posture from members who choose to live their lives according to a > different belief system. I can not recall a time when the pro-life community > of the list (yes, there are a few of us) attacked, admonished, rebuked, or > in any way even commented on the numerous pro-choice letters, opinions, or > articles that are posted. Do we have to have a PRO-LIFE header to be careful > not to offend the apparently tender pro-choicers, who also probably have > delete buttons on their PC's? Why can't Jan express her opinion? Don't her > concerns count too? If you don't care about what she has to say, delete it, > just like I do when someone's opinion offends me. > > I for one am concerned about what will happen to me if "mercy" becomes a new > word for "homicide". The day my life is evaluated according to a checklist > of value and contribution may be a very sad day indeed; I just don't stack > up anymore. I have deep compassion for those who feel that the quality of > their lives has deteriorated past any reason for continuing on, and probably > even deeper compassion for their partners and loved ones. But I would much > prefer if that time comes for me, the decision about me, my life, and > eternity be made by myself, my husband, and my children...not doctors, > social workers, or politicians. > > Kathie Tollifson > [log in to unmask] >