Political Quotes

“last week I was pleased to join with my colleague from West Virginia, Senator Rockefeller, in introducing S. 1345, the Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act which is intended to improve the way we care for people at the end of their lives. Noted health economist Uwe Reinhardt once observed that "Americans are the only people on earth who believe that death is negotiable." Advancements in medicine, public health, and technology have enabled more and more of us to live longer and healthier lives. However, when medical treatment can no longer promise a continuation of life, patients and their families should not have to fear that the process of dying will be marked by preventable pain, avoidable distress, or care that is inconsistent with their values or wishes. The fact is, dying is a universal experience, and it is time to reexamine how we approach death and dying and how we care for people at the end of their lives.”