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August 23, 2009

Sen. Arlen Specter Calling for Hearings into End of Life Guide for Vets (Death Book for Veterans)

In a story involving an issue that we previously addressed in our post titled, "Euthanasia Group Behind "End-of-Life" Counseling," Digital Journal reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs is under increasing scrutiny this week after it was revealed the controversial end of life counseling pamphlet, appropriately referred to Mike Wallace as the "Death Book for Veterans" "may be revived" (it already has be revived by the Obama administration) and distributed to veterans (Parts are already on the VA website). Furthermore, Sen. Arlen Specter is now calling for hearings on the controversial booklet. (Apparently Specter can occasionally be right about something)

Via Digital Journal:

The guide called "Your Life, Your Choices," was originally suspended under the Bush Administration, but it is apparently being brought back by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jim Towey, a former Bush Administration official, brought the revival to national prominence this week with an article in the Wall Street Journal, which outlined his criticisms of the booklet.

When asked about the guide on Fox News Sunday, Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) said "I think consideration ought to be given right now to suspending it pending hearings." Specter, who sits on the Veterans Affairs Committee, says that there are questions that need to be answered about the booklet.

Towey called the pamphlet a "hurry up and die" message to troops, making this into another large end of life care issue. Assistant Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth, said that the manual is under review and that it has not been "officially reinstated." She said that it is "simply a tool" used to care for the veterans.

The most controversial section of the guide is titled "What makes your life worth living?" and asks the veteran to look at scenarios and rate whether it is worth living. Among the questions scenarios: "I am a severe financial burden on my family" and "My situation causes severe emotional burden for my family."

Posted by Richard at August 23, 2009 12:49 PM

• Sen. Arlen Specter Calling for Hearings into End of Life Guide for Vets (Death Book for Veterans) - Aug 23, 2009