Posted on 08/02/2009 8:24:07 AM PDT by BAW
A campaign on conservative talk radio – fueled unintentionally by President Barack Obama's calls to control exorbitant medical bills – has sparked fear among senior citizens that the massive health-reform bill moving through Congress will lead to end-of-life “rationing” and even “euthanasia.”
The controversy stems from a proposal to pay physicians who counsel elderly or terminally ill patients about what medical interventions they would prefer near the end of life and how to prepare instructions, such as living wills. Under the plan, Medicare would reimburse doctors for one session every five years to confer with a patient about his or her wishes and how to ensure those preferences are followed. The counseling sessions would be voluntary.
On right-leaning radio programs, religious e-mail lists and Internet blogs, the proposal has been described as “guiding you in how to die,” “an ORDER from the Government to end your life,” promoting “death care,” and, in the words of anti-abortion leader Randall Terry, an attempt to “kill granny.”
Although the counseling provision is a tiny sliver in a behemoth bill, the skirmish over end-of-life care, like arguments about abortion coverage, has provided ammunition to Obama's opponents and threatened to derail the president's broader health-care agenda.
At a forum sponsored by the seniors group AARP intended to pitch comprehensive reform, Obama was asked about the frightening “rumors.” He used the question to promote living wills, noting he and the first lady both have them.
The side battle also undercuts what many say is the more fundamental challenge of discussing sensitive, costly societal questions about how to align patient wishes at the end of life with financial realities, for both the family and taxpayers.
(Excerpt) Read more at 3.signonsandiego.com ...
Hey CECI......your spin machine is out of gas.....
It is inevitable. “Here, take this pill. We will all feel better!”
Hell, they won't even swab the area with alcohol!
The left has already shown that it believes in compulsory termination of life (abortion, infanticide, Terri Schiavo) so it’s not a stretch to think that they will be forcing the elderly to “think about” ending it all.
Well, at least we won’t have to wear a yellow star. I think for most it will be obvious who is and who isn’t a senior.
If these folks had a clue; would even read beyond the Obama,Inc. talking points; then the gist of this story would not be 'sparked' fears. . .
Unfrickenbelievable. . .the painful and threatening ignorance of it all.
You know you qualify when you can find an extra set of keys but you can’t remember where you parked the car.
Today the liberals call this "frightening 'rumors'," but tomorrow, they'll call it "the way things have always been."
They aren't rumors. Somebody posted that part of the proposed legislation here recently.
I recently moved to a new state and had to use the services of a Walk in care facility. The Dr I saw was eager to offer me his services as a primary care physician noting that he specialized in geriatrics. I almost fell off the examining table. I am 61 and hadn’t realized that I now qualified for Obama’s Gold for Geezers program.
Well, "Cici," let's think about this a moment, shall we? If euthanasia and abortion are so trivial as to barely merit mention within the context of such a wonderful, comprehensive solution to all of our "bigger" problems,
WHY DON'T THE GENIUSES WRITING THE BILL LEAVE THEM OUT?
Let's look at another angle, shall we? Why does the MSM keep calling it the president's health care plan? If it were sincerely the people's health plan, and if it were actually going to benefit us, we would be supporting it! But we're not. Wonder why?
I had a young lady holding a baby open the door for me at a health club. Now THAT’s depressing. (I don’t work out anymore).
Like income taxes and the IRS?
End of life counseling at my home goes something like this:
Me: Hello, what can I do for you.
Visitor: I am here to give an end of life counseling session, sir.
Me: Wait a minute, I need to get something from my bedroom.
Sound of my 870 being cycled.
Multiple bursts of 00 buck being fired.
Me: Now where were we? Oh, you look a bit pale, should I call an end of life counselor for you, do you do self sessions or do you wish to just go to the recycle center?
Really? Sure looked to me that her spin machine was driven by one of T-Bone's windmills!
LOL. ..and yes; a member of that club. . .
The “Law” doesnt just propose to reimburse doctors- it makes end-of-life and living will counseling by your DOCTOR MANDATORY.
Every 5 years after 65- but conveniently for those of you diagnosed with a chronic illness-—ANNUALLY.
Scene: A doctor’s office, 2015:
Doctor:
Sorry Mr Jones, your medical plan does not allow me to continue your monthly cortisone injections into your arthritic knees. Last year we were permitted to treat one knee for patients over 50. But now that you’ve passed age 65 with no meaningful assessment for improvement in your condition, the standard of care has changed.
I know the pain is unbearable and you are no longer able to walk or to work.
Have you considered a living will? I won’t be able to treat your other needs or prescribe pain meds until we have this counseling session completed and documented to be onfile.
It will only take 30 minutes. I have a video from the HHS my nurse can just pop in for you to watch in our special care-for-life room. After you watch it, I can answer any questions you may have about pain relief while refusing food and hydration.
We will have a termination date tattoo placed on our forearms. That is the date that we will be escorted by his Brown Shirts to the euthanasia center
Turn Granny in for a government coupon to your favorite retail outlet...
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