Head of Physicians for Compassionate Care Responds to my “Policy of Privilege” Post

Wes, Your analysis [that assisted suicide is a policy of privilege] is right on. Diane Coleman of Not Dead Yet! [the disability rights organizatoin], wrote in 1998, “Who are the lead proponents of assisted suicide?—The Hemlock Society, who’s members have a median income of $52,000 a year. They are the 4 W’s: the white, well-off, worried, well.”

A survey of dying Oregonians 2000-2002 reported that not one of 62 Blacks personally considered assisted suicide, whereas 18% of Whites considered it. [Tolle et al. “Characteristics and Proportion of Dying Oregonians Who Personally Considered Physician-Assisted Suicide.” J Clin Ethics. 2004;15:111-118]