Nobody should be surprised. An Oregon psychiatrist is opening a suicide clinic called “Dignity House,” at which—for a fee—people can commit assisted suicide under Oregon’s law. Services include flowers ($400), music ($400), photography (!) ($400), and for $1200, Dr. Big Heart will sit with you while you die. From his Endoflifeconsultants Website :
Normally, I will not be present for the completion of the Death with Dignity Act. If, however, you would like my therapy dog and me present at the time of death, you may purchase a 3 hour window of our time for $1,200. This is a cashier’s check or postal money order fee. Preferable hours are either 7-10 am or 6-9 pm. I am willing to cut my fee in half to $600 if you purchase the entire package of services. This would make the price of the packaged services $5,000. We work great as a team. I strongly recommend you choose this option. We will make your final journey pleasant and peaceful. Full of beauty and music–we would prefer no television, but if you must . . . Oh, this option allows you to pay by credit card to my Stuart Weisberg, MD, LLC account. Proprietor: Stuart Weisberg, MD, LLC
As they said in The Godfather , it’s not personal. It’s just business.
More details and analysis over at Secondhand Smoke .
Update: Weisberg’s license to practice medicine was suspended over unrelated drug prescribing irregularities. I guess those assisted suicide limited liability companies will just have to wait.
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