He has declared open war on the legal system. But that will be only a small part of the showdown necessary for us to come to grips with euthanasia. We need to go beyond discussions of legalities and pain and moral rhetoric. Neglected is the sorry fact that this country's health-care system continues to cater to the rich and powerful. Millions of Americans have little access to even the most basic treatments to alleviate chronic suffering.
Millions more receive only rudimentary care.
This continuing obscenity doesn't allow for a fair debate about how it might be possible to make euthanasia more open and routine. The lack of civilized health care in the United States creates a situation in which we kill off the poor more quickly than those who can afford better treatments and medical comforts. Euthanasia should be considered an extension of the process of providing such treatment options for every patient. A classic example is the continuing widespread resistance to using narcotics to alleviate pain. Especially if you happen to be poor or poorly insured, then good luck to you.