A new report from the Institute of Medicine takes a closer look at end-of-life care in the U.S. The report, called "Dying in America", shines light on the quality of care available to those nearing the end of life -- offering some recommendations on how to make care more sustainable and accessible to patients and their families.
This hour, we learn a bit more about that report. We talk about our end-of-life care system, and about our changing wants, needs, and values when it comes to dying in America.
Later in the program, we also also take a look at the rapidly changing world of elderly care.
And finally, the death of 29-year-old terminally ill patient Brittany Maynard opened a national conversation about death with dignity. We check-in with one state where that law was passed, and find out what impact Maynard’s story will have going forward.
GUESTS:
- Dr. Eric De Jonge - Director of Geriatrics at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center in DC
- Julia Evans Starr - Executive Director of Connecticut’s Legislative Commission on Aging
- Katie Thomas - New York Times reporter who covers the business of health care
- Arielle Levin Becker - Health reporter at The Connecticut Mirror
