End of life planning.....

[ERCougar]

Yes, exactly. It should be the patient that decides if they want to take the risks and not the FDA. While saving thousands the FDA has most likely killed hundreds of thousands.

You are aware that even at best, this drug will never save a life, right?

[Uncle Ted]

You are aware that even at best, this drug will never save a life, right?

I understand it is not a cure to breast cancer but studies have confirmed that it keeps the disease at bay longer than chemotherapy with its horrific side effects. I would like my wife or sister to have the choice of how they would like to live their last days.

In general the FDA does kill people by limiting access to experimental drugs, for example. The FDA should really be in the business of requiring strong warning labels rather than limiting people's choices, IMHO.

[LA Ute]

Some interesting info on this controversy:

Dem regrets language in memo on ‘death panels’ that reignited debate

In the memo, first reported on Dec. 26 by The New York Times, Blumenaeur’s office expressed concern that new attention to end-of-life care planning could doom an end-of-life provision included in a Medicare regulation issued last month.

“Thus far, it seems that no press or blogs have discovered it, but we will be keeping a close watch and may be calling on you if we need a rapid, targeted response,” the memo read. “The longer this goes unnoticed, the better our chances of keeping it.”

Gee, ya think it's bad idea for an elected leader to say something like that in a democracy?

[doctorcoug]

This is the kind of thing people should be worried about:

'Death Panels' Come Back to Life: The FDA's restrictions on the drug Avastin are the beginning of a long slide toward health-care rationing..

As I said earlier, this is just stupid partisan politics. The democrats are on the right path here.

[pellegrino]

Yes, exactly. It should be the patient that decides if they want to take the risks and not the FDA. While saving thousands the FDA has most likely killed hundreds of thousands.

What type of patient is really able to make an informed decision like that?