Willis794613 t1_jdcvjb8 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 2:22 PM

Reply to comment by MarlKarx-1818 in Rhode Island discussing potential medically assisted death in terminal patients by Previous_Floor

Only in America were someone be like just kill me because i don't want to leave my family in debt for years.

newtoRI22 t1_jdcyjzy wrote on March 23, 2023 at 2:42 PM

That’s literally happening in Canada right now with their MAiD program. People are choosing to end their lives early because they are worried about medical debts and some providers may encourage MAiD over hospice because hospice is more expensive.

monkiesandtool t1_jdd0tua wrote on March 23, 2023 at 2:57 PM

Wait a sec; Isn't Canada's Model a single payer system that's funded by the taxpayer?

newtoRI22 t1_jdd2hr5 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 3:08 PM

Single payer doesn’t mean that everything is covered.

You can read about the issue here: https://www.thedailybeast.com/canadas-health-care-woes-are-pushing-people-with-disabilities-toward-medically-assisted-death

HawkingDoingWheelies t1_jddcr8w wrote on March 23, 2023 at 4:14 PM

Yes, which goes to show you its not a blanket solution and even Canada struggles with affordability of their healthcare program, which is why they expanded MAID to include people with mental illness because it's cheaper for the government to kill them then support them

Willis794613 t1_jddo81u wrote on March 23, 2023 at 5:26 PM

absolutely horrible that this happens in this day an age.

Previous_Floor OP t1_jdld5q9 wrote on March 25, 2023 at 6:26 AM

I don't think it works that way. The family wouldn't be in debt for years or at all.

"Generally, the deceased person's estate is responsible for paying any unpaid debts. When a person dies, their assets pass to their estate. If there is no money or property left, then the debt generally will not be paid. Generally, no one else is required to pay the debts of someone who died."

Source: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/does-a-persons-debt-go-away-when-they-die-en-1463/

schoolbusserman t1_jddiq2s wrote on March 23, 2023 at 4:51 PM

It’s not only money though. A lot of people will feel guilty about being a time burden on their family with all the caregiving, rides to appointments etc