Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to discuss a very important issue--living well at the end of life. Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day. It is a day dedicated to reminding people to plan for the future, to encourage discussions--no matter how difficult--to let families, friends, and caregivers know your wishes, whatever they may be. This is an incredibly important and pressing issue, but it is one that no one likes to talk about. No one likes to face their own mortality. But we must because we know that more often than not, patients' preferences are not known or adhered to near the end of life. In the absence of clearly defined expectations and wishes, death can be an incredibly scary and confusing time for a patient and their family. Misunderstanding among physicians and family members about a loved one's final wishes can cause significant psychological and emotional hardship. Families may disagree about treatment options and argue about whether their loved one should get more or less treatment, aggressive intervention or palliative care. These disagreements can often result in the patient receiving a different course of treatment than they might have preferred--an undesirable yet easily avoidable outcome. We need to empower patients to express their wishes, to exert their choice, and to clearly define their preferences and expectations, whatever they may be, to those who will be along their side at that difficult time.…”