By Mary Rettig
October 3, 2006

(AgapePress) - A Chicago doctor who specializes in geriatrics says attitudes are changing toward end-of-life healthcare choices as costs continue to rise.

A Kaiser Family Foundation report says healthcare costs are rising at twice the rate of inflation. Dr. David Fisher, a spokesman for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), says Medicare and insurance companies are covering costs for now, but he expects things may change as more of the population become senior citizens.

"Dying patients or patients who are very sick and receiving costly treatments are likely to feel like they are a burden on their family," Fisher says, "and for that reason [they] may be persuaded to elect physician-assisted suicide if it were legal."

The CMDA spokesman contends that supporters of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) push the idea to the very sick and to healthcare providers, saying it is more cost-effective. But those terminally ill individuals who are facing either a painful death or very costly treatment should realize they have other alternatives, says Fisher.

"I think that's where Christian doctors can really step in and make an impact, because those really aren't the only two options," he offers. "When someone is faced with the prospect of dying, we still can provide many, many services for that patient."

He says hospice and other palliative care are available to give comfort and the ability to maintain dignity during a patient's last days.

Still, Fisher warns that money tends to drive things, and that the rise in the number of senior citizens will likely overwhelm the Medicare system unless something is done about it. That is why he cautions Christian physicians to be prepared for a rise in support for physician-assisted suicide.