Fred N. Sauer has written for American Thinker a reprise of the medical philosophy of Ezekiel Emanuel, a physician, leading bio-ethicist, co-author of Obamacare, and older brother of Chicago Godfather Rahm Emanuel. You might want to read what this influential medical policy wonk believes.
The two times in life when people are most likely to die are when very young and very old. Those are the exact times Dr. Emanuel would rather not "invest" in your good health. The subtext is that people born screwed up should be allowed to die young, and old people on their way out should not be artificially sustained for a few extra months of low-quality life.
From a macro/society-wide perspective of getting the most good from a limited medical budget, Emanuel is probably correct. However, it sure feels cold and inhuman, particularly if one is no longer young.
