About this episode

This episode explores the Medical Aid in Dying movement and the underlying fears that drive the conversation around it.

Is the Medical Aid in Dying Movement Opening Up a Bigger Conversation? As Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) legislation continues to expand across the United States, a deeper question is emerging: What is really driving the conversation? In this episode, Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN, Founder and CEO of Doulagivers Institute and author of The Good Death, explores the growing movement around Medical Aid in Dying and asks us to look beneath the headlines, politics, and debates to uncover what many people are truly seeking. Suzanne recently appeared on the nationally acclaimed Freakonomics Radio podcast alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who discussed her decision to sign Medical Aid in Dying into law in New York State. While opinions on MAID vary widely, Suzanne believes there is one important truth that deserves more attention: The desire for Medical Aid in Dying is often rooted in fear. Fear of pain. Fear of prolonged suffering. Fear of loss of dignity. Fear of losing autonomy. Fear of becoming a burden to loved ones. But what if, instead of debating only the final decision, we focused on addressing the fears that lead people there? Drawing on more than 20 years as a hospice and…

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