The patient is suing the hospital over their actions.
QUICK FACTS:
- Canada’s Roger Foley says he’s been pushed toward death in the former of physician-assisted suicide because of his constant need for medical assistance.
- Foley alleges his caretakers at Victoria Hospital, a primarily government-funded center in London, Ontario, have not only encouraged the life-ending procedure but tried to scare him by saying he will be under a mountain of debt if he wants to continue living, which he was clear that he does.
- The 47-year-old suffers from cerebellar ataxia, a disease that attacks the brain and muscles.
- He has Ontario’s provincially funded insurance, OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) which is only for “basic medical and emergency services,” he said.
- “I almost died because I could not have food or water for days,” Foley claimed, asserting that the hospital was not taking appropriate care of him. “If I can’t sit up, I can’t swallow food without choking.”
COMMENTS FROM PARTIES INVOLVED:
- “I was sick and uncoordinated in my childhood,” Foley told the Post. “In my 20s, I lost my ability to walk and use my limbs. In my 30s I became unable to walk and needed assistance in living. I ended up in the hospital at age 40. I’ve been here since then and [the disability] is getting worse.”
- “They asked if I want an assisted death. I don’t. I was told that I would be charged $1,800 per day [for hospital care]. I have $2 million worth of bills. Nurses here told me that I should end my life. That shocked me,” Foley said.
- A hospital spokesperson told journalists they were “unable to provide a comment specific to a patient in order to ensure privacy and confidentiality” and that per Canadian law, “our healthcare teams are prepared to have conversations regarding Medically Assisted in Dying with patients who verbally express an interest in exploring this option.”
- “If the patient does not verbally express an interest or changes their mind, our healthcare team will not engage in these conversations,” the spokesperson said.
BACKGROUND:
- Another case of potential physician-assisted suicide involved a different Canadian man who was facing eviction from social housing and was accepted into the country’s controversial legal euthanasia program after deciding he’d rather die than be homeless.
- Amir Farsoud, 54, made headlines when it was discovered that he was going to end his life for economic reasons. More than $60,000 was raised for Farsoud to be able to continue his life in a safe home environment.
