The 2nd Five-Year Masterplan for Life-Sustaining Treatment: Key Features and Tasks

Abstract

In April this year, the government put forth the 2nd five-year Masterplan for Hospice and Life-Sustaining Treatment. Seven years after the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act was implemented, the new Masterplan outlines visions and tasks for advancing the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Scheme (LSTDS) beyond its earlier phases—its launch pursuant to the enactment of the law and the subsequent buildup through the 1st Masterplan—toward a mature system. This article reviews the main advancements achieved and limitations remaining around the LSTDS under the 1st Masterplan, and sheds light on key features of the 2nd Masterplan. In addition, this article offers several policy suggestions. First, the scheme should pursue qualitative enhancement, going beyond quantitative growth. Second, organizations working under the scheme each currently operate largely singly, and this approach should shift to one where they collaborate more effectively within their localities or regions. Third, to ensure that individuals can conclude their lives with dignity, the LSTDS should be linked to various other social services.