Final Policy Recommendation

Presented by

Institution

Euthanasia is a procedure in which a doctor ends the life of a patient in a pain and suffering free environment. Patients who undergo euthanasia are mostly those admitted in hospitals for long and have no signs of healing (ProCon.org, 2012). Policy makers should keep the following factors in mind while considering policies on the issue of euthanasia. Policies about various issues affecting human beings exist in form of statement, rules and regulations or formulated laws governing a code of practice in a health institution (Barker, 2012).

Areas of agreement

Were the interested parties involved? (the doctors, the patient, the authority and family members)

According to Emmanuel (1999), several stages are followed before a doctor is granted permission to carryout euthanasia. All the involved parties must be informed of the patient’s agreement with a doctor and consult the relevant authority concerning the agreement.

The financial status of the patient and the family in relation to paying medical bills

Some families leave below the poverty line and find it difficult to cater for hospital bill of the admitted patient and at the same time get money to buy household needs. Under this circumstance, the government should introduce a policy that legalizes euthanasia in relation to the financial status of the affected family. Lyons (2012) argues that ending a life of a person who is enduring a lot of suffering and has no signs of survival is morally right. Between 2008 and 2012, more than 72 percent of people advocated for legalization of euthanasia, but with some guiding policies.

Areas of disagreement

Autonomy

The America as a nation values the life of her people to a great extent that taking an individual’s life is illegal. Euthanasia goes against this policy, but the government should formulate new policies that advocate euthanasia where no other option appears. Euthanasia assists in relieving pain and suffering for the sick person and the family members.

Regulation resisting physicians from wrongfully ending a patient’s life

Some physicians might take advantage of the situation and terminate a patient’s life without any consent. Policies should be formulated resisting physicians from illegally killing patients in the name of euthanasia. Euthanasia gives patients a psychological reassurance. Statistics show that 41.6 percent of cancer patients and 44.4 percent of the citizens have trust towards physicians on the issue of euthanasia ().

References

Apouey, B. H. (2013). Health policies and the relationships between socioeconomic status, access to health care, and health. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research,2(1), 50.

Emmanuel, J. E. (1999). What is the agreat Benefit of Legalizing Euthanasia of Physican-

Assisted Suicide? Journal of Ethics. 109 (3). Chicago: University of Chicago press..

pp. 631-635

Lyons, L. (2012). Public Grapples With Legality, Morality of Euthanasia. Retrieved from:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/12331/public-grapples-legality-morality-euthanasia.aspxProCon.org. (2012). What is Euthanasia? Retrieved from:

http://euthanasia.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000142

Terri Shiavo. (2013, September 25). Facts About Euthanasia. Facts About Euthanasia. Retrieved March 7, 2014, from:

http://www.terrisfight.org/facts-about-euthanasia/