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Despite claims by American liberals that universal health care is affordable, Canada is now expanding euthanasia to put the mentally ill to death as a means of controlling costs.

“Euthanasia became a legal option for Canadians 18 years and older in 2016, who had to prove suffering from severe pain and have a reasonably foreseeable death, as well as two doctors signing off on the decision,” the Daily Caller reports.

But government health care can only stay afloat by rationing access – or cutting it off altogether – so resources can be focused on younger residents more likely to vote.

That means Canada has now added those with serious physical or mental illnesses that are not life-threatening to its death panel lists.

“Now, any adult with a serious disease or a mental health reason can seek euthanasia, according to the AP. The policy is also creeping forward to encompass the mentally ill, poor, and soon children, with some experts saying the law is going too far.”

Euthanasia is now Canada’s sixth-leading cause of death, with many opting to die in the face of unaffordable care under the nation’s government-run system.

“Sean Tagert, a 41-year-old man suffering from ALS, opted for euthanasia in 2019 in part because he couldn’t keep up with high costs to allow him to continue living at home with caretakers, according to AP,” the Daily Caller reports. “Roger Foley, a man hospitalized in Ontario with a degenerative brain disease, was told by one staffer that it would cost $1,500 per day to keep him alive in the hospital before mentioning euthanasia, the outlet reported.”

More than 10,000 Canadians have been euthanized in the latest year for which data are available, the Associated Press reports.

Even many liberals are disturbed, with leftist journalist Matthew Yglesias tweeting, “Canadian institutions seem to be using euthanasia legalization to avoid the expense of caring for the disabled. Extremely disturbing stuff here.”

 

Many are worried that by expanding death panels to include the mentally ill the Canadian government is controlling costs by killing off those without the mental capacity to understand their rights.

The Associated Press reports:

Alan Nichols had a history of depression and other medical issues, but none were life-threatening. When the 61-year-old Canadian was hospitalized in June 2019 over fears he might be suicidal, he asked his brother to “bust him out” as soon as possible.

Within a month, Nichols submitted a request to be euthanized and he was killed, despite concerns raised by his family and a nurse practitioner.

His application for euthanasia listed only one health condition as the reason for his request to die: hearing loss.

Nichols’ family reported the case to police and health authorities, arguing that he lacked the capacity to understand the process and was not suffering unbearably — among the requirements for euthanasia. They say he was not taking needed medication, wasn’t using the cochlear implant that helped him hear, and that hospital staffers improperly helped him request euthanasia.

Even the United Nations is raising concerns, issuing a letter to Canadian officials to express concern the liberal policies are killing those who do not face terminal illness.

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AmericanActionNews.com




Michael Brigham has written for American Action News since the summer of 2019. His areas of expertise include foreign affairs, government, and politics, but regardless of the subject matter, he has a nose and an insatiable appetite for news. In his free time, he enjoys reading nonfiction, watching a mix of comedies and true crime documentaries, and spending time away from the swamp hiking in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Comments

  1. That is what the NAZI’s did, very early in WWII, they cleared out all the mental hospitals.
    The Nazis performed euthanasia on the infirm, the insane, and any others they considered as “defectives”. This killing was performed on their OWN people as well as the peoples of the
    countries, they had over-run. It was a financial decision to exterminate the crippled and retarded and all the rest that they considered as: “Useless Eaters”.

    1. If only more people would read up on the WWII history and atrocities that were committed. Some 80+ million civilians were killed. Remember Obama’s death panels?!
      It’s already been introduced in the USA.

  2. I doubt this story very much . Looks like nothing but right-wing propaganda and fear mongering to me . And Canada’s “socialized ” health care system is a heck of a lot better than ours in the USA . We remain the only industrialized country in the world without universal health care , and because of this , thousands of people die every year here because they can’t afford health care , and even more, people who aren’t even poor, go bankrupt every year just to get medical treatment .

  3. modify that action to apply only to American Democrats. Soon the U.S.A. will know peace again.It seems that the 1800s Civil War wasnt enough to end that evil party.

  4. Now if it would be considered for Justin Trudeau it might have merit. Can you imagine if it was pushed on somebody like Steven Hawking for example. And to do this because of financial considerations is totally heartless. Maybe if Trudy had not screwed up the economy by going after the Truckers, and enforcing a mandate that was totally unnecessary and pointless, you wouldn’t have the healthcare money problems. Does Trudeau have any Biden Genes in his family history?

  5. This is extremely disturbing. Those who want universal health care need to hede this warning. Funny this isn’t all over the MSM.

  6. America’s system is not far behind Canada To many people on it not paying anything as well as people who can afford to pay themselves. And the onset of millions coming across our boarder’s adds to it. The same goes for S.S.

  7. It has already cost too much for health care for too long in America. We have private health care for the most part, and many Americans have already died, and continue to die, whether they want to or not, because of the outrageous cost of health care in this country. Now, ironically, it is finally being realized in Canada that socialized meficine has turned out to be no better than private medicine.

  8. Let’s face the facts,S.S. Medicare, Medicaid are giant perimid scams. As long as the base widens, and the top stays or shrinks it’s stable. That’s not happening.

  9. Legalized abortion is how it starts, then voluntary euthanasia moving right into forced executions *= ATHEISTIC MARXISM….Communism

  10. Ain’t socialism great, America, we need to get there quickly. Will New York, or California please lead the way.

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