Political Quotes

“We have a health care crisis in this country, but one few have heard about because we don't think about it until it hits us or our family, but it almost always does. As we approach the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, that tragedy might serve as an illustration. Who in that crowd in Boston, almost a year ago, thought they would be facing not just life- or-death medical decisions, but about who would decide whether a leg would be amputated or not? Who speaks for our loved ones when they can't speak for themselves? Who speaks for us when we are unable to speak? And how would they know what we want? This has profound implications. Over 80 percent of Americans feel they want to spend their last days at home, surrounded by loved ones, lucid, aware, and enjoying their company. Unfortunately, about three-quarters of us spend our last days in a hospital, maybe in ICU, with tubes up our noses and heavily sedated. Is that exactly what we want? Who decides? And how will people know what my decisions or your decisions might be? The failure for us to deal with this issue--whether it is the health care system, the Federal Government, individual families--can lead to tragic consequences. People can get the wrong care, be removed from their loved ones, sometimes get intrusive, expensive, and painful care when that is not their wish, drugged and helpless.…”