Jim Towey: The Death Book for Veterans - WSJ.com

Jim Towey: The Death Book for Veterans - WSJ.com

"Your Life, Your Choices." It was first published in 1997 and later promoted as the VA's preferred living will throughout its vast network of hospitals and nursing homes. After the Bush White House took a look at how this document was treating complex health and moral issues, the VA suspended its use. Unfortunately, under President Obama, the VA has now resuscitated "Your Life, Your Choices."

Who is the primary author of this workbook? Dr. Robert Pearlman, chief of ethics evaluation for the center, a man who in 1996 advocated for physician-assisted suicide in Vacco v. Quill before the U.S. Supreme Court and is known for his support of health-care rationing.

"Your Life, Your Choices" presents end-of-life choices in a way aimed at steering users toward predetermined conclusions, much like a political "push poll." For example, a worksheet on page 21 lists various scenarios and asks users to then decide whether their own life would be "not worth living."

That 'book' is very much geared to guiding a disabled person toward ending their life. I read it last night. It isn't JUST the Iraq veterans that the VA treats, but also those who are disabled from previous military service, like the WWII, Korean, Vietnam, etc.

You can read it for yourself here.

I have also written on this topic here.