Presidential Campaign Forum Raises End-of-Life Options Issue

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to a unique question about end-of-life care options raised during a CNN presidential town hall last night by terminally ill supporter Jim Kinhan, Compassion & Choices announced today it will host a teleconference on the issue before the Nevada primary. The teleconference will take place on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. EST/5pm PST, at a location still to be determined.

Below is a partial transcript of the presidential town hall exchange between Hillary Clinton and Jim Kinhan, an 81-year-old supporter of Compassion & Choices dying from colon cancer, who wrote an op-ed about it published in the Concord Monitor.

KINHAN: "… I wonder what leadership you could offer within an executive role that might help advance the respectful conversation that is needed around this personal choice that people may make, as we age and deal with health issues or be the caregivers of those people, to help enhance their end of life with dignity."

HILLARY CLINTON: "… this is the first time I've been asked that question … And I thank you for it, because we need to have a conversation in our country … So it is a crucial issue that people deserve to understand from their own ethical, religious, faith-based perspective … I want, as president, to try to catalyze that debate because I believe you're right, this is going to become an issue more and more."

"Options for end-of-life care are a big deal for millions of older Americans like Jim Kinhan and their baby boomer caregivers," said Compassion & Choices Action Network President Barbara Coombs Lee, who was an ER and ICU nurse and physician assistant for 25 years. "Virtually every national and state poll shows voters from all political persuasions and demographic groups want autonomy to choose from the full range of end-of-life care options, including hospice, palliative care and medical aid in dying."

"Most people want to die at home and avoid futile, painful, unwanted medical treatments that only extend their dying process and destroy their quality of life," added Coombs Lee. "We are hosting this teleconference so journalists, politicians and voters unfamiliar with end-of-life care options can learn about and discuss this issue."

For more information about end-of-life options, visit: www.compassionandchoices.org/what-we-do/newsroom/

The Compassion & Choices Action Network, a 501 (c) (4) organization, engages in direct and grassroots lobbying and independent expenditure efforts to pass fair and just laws to improve care and expand choice at the end of life.

Contact: Sean Crowley, 202-495-8520-c, [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160204/329959
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140312/DC81938LOGO-b

SOURCE Compassion & Choices

Related Links

http://CompassionAndChoices.org

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED