Yes, the way we deal with death and dying certainly needs to change.
Racking up million dollar medical bills in a most likely failing effort to prolong the life (a few more months of suffering actually) of an elderly person with one foot in the grave on a good day is definitely a drain on society.
What ever happened to good ole’ assisted suicide? Why did it suddenly flip to “save at all cost”?
1 - I think the flip happened because of apparent lack of say in the matter. When people have a say in matter, they get less scared.
2 - Agree that the USA needs a good talk about death and dying, and seeing that the Boomers are going to start making their mark in this phase of their existence, seems like a good time to start before we're all in the thick of it. There has been some attempts, but rhetoric ('Death Panels') seems to stifle it quick. I keep thinking the 'death with dignity' thing can still have its moment then gain wider acceptance, but I am often wrong about social things like this.
3 - Spending oodles of $$$ at the end of life versus at the beginning or middle is a testament to who wields the power: self-interested (perhaps this is really all of us) older, generally wealthier, people, or people sucking up to said older, generally wealthier people. Other things are always at play, so doubt this is the only reason for this disparity.