You’ve probably never heard of intrathecal care. It’s a new drug-delivery method used by palliative care specialists in which a catheter is inserted near the spinal cord, similar to an epidural. It enables pain relief while allowing mobility and lucidity. 

This kind of medical advance changes the game on end-of-life care.

The Australian Medical Association estimates it would cost about an extra $275 million a year to make quality supportive care available to all terminally ill Australians who need it. It’s expensive, but certainly possible. It’s a choice that a progressive government could and should make.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/average-citizens-might-not-volunteer-for-death-if-they-could-afford-what-the-rich-can-staying-alive-with-dignity-20211011-p58yux.html