Bob
SoWal Insider
Blair is a good egg!
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"Death panel" architect a pro-life Republican from Georgia?
- Thread starter LuciferSam
- Start date
Lake View Too
SoWal Insider
Birthers are people that think Obama was not born in the USA even though his birth certificate has been produced Ad Naseum. Deathers think the Healthcare ReForm Bill will lead to govt. enforced euthanasia(sp). I think the bill has been drafted simply to say that if you wish to talk to your physician about end of life issues, on the "govt. program" it would be covered once every five years. It seems to me that A.there is no mandate in print or in sight, ever. and B. if you don't want this provision in your health coverage, you can buy your health coverage from a private carrier. I don't know if I'm analyzing this correctly, but that gives me at least three ways to avoid talking to a doctor about death. Don't ask the doctor for a consultation, don't get the govt. health insurance, or don't go to the doctor at all.
Teabaggers are just people that are angry about anything. To me, I'd call them all "shout-downers".
Teabaggers are just people that are angry about anything. To me, I'd call them all "shout-downers".
Alicia Leonard
SoWal Insider
'Euthanasia' Is Taking Health Care Debate Too Far
Political Noise Has Led to 'Hideous Misrepresentation' of Medical Profession, One Doctor Says
Opinion by DR. LEN LICHTENFELD
Aug. 12, 2009
375 comments
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Someone's intent to do a good and necessary deed has now been transformed into a hideous misrepresentation that not only affects our humanity and dignity as a nation, but goes to the heart of the physician-patient relationship and the responsibility that physicians have to provide healing and comfort as well as treatment.
That's our oath, and that's what we are supposed to do. Recognizing that imperative is not something that should be punished as an evil act.
Perhaps some background would be helpful in framing the issue:
Medicare is supposed to only pay for medically necessary and effective care. It is not allowed to provide other services such as screening or prevention unless specifically authorized by Congress.
End-of-life counseling falls under the category of non-covered services, but probably gets into the payment mix as part of other billing codes doctors use to get paid for more routine "evaluation and management" services.
Providing explicit payment for this service will encourage appropriate and needed discussions between physicians and patients on this very important, difficult and humanitarian topic.
For years, many of us have been concerned about end-of-life issues, such as living wills, pain management and hospice care. Counseling our patients as they age about their options -- and equally important, understanding what our patients' wishes may be -- is an honored part of the physician-patient relationship, especially for primary care internists, family physicians and oncologists. The reality is that we have not been as successful as we need to be in encouraging these discussions.
We have tried for years to get people to sign living wills and provide durable powers of attorney for health care. Medical professionals need guidance -- preferably in advance of the moment -- on what patients want done, either at the time when their lives are coming to an end or when they may not be able to speak for themselves.
for the rest click here
Health Care Reform Debate Turns to Euthanasia, Death Panel Gone Too Far - ABC News
Political Noise Has Led to 'Hideous Misrepresentation' of Medical Profession, One Doctor Says
Opinion by DR. LEN LICHTENFELD
Aug. 12, 2009
375 comments
Font Size
RSS
Share this story with friends
Someone's intent to do a good and necessary deed has now been transformed into a hideous misrepresentation that not only affects our humanity and dignity as a nation, but goes to the heart of the physician-patient relationship and the responsibility that physicians have to provide healing and comfort as well as treatment.
That's our oath, and that's what we are supposed to do. Recognizing that imperative is not something that should be punished as an evil act.
Perhaps some background would be helpful in framing the issue:
Medicare is supposed to only pay for medically necessary and effective care. It is not allowed to provide other services such as screening or prevention unless specifically authorized by Congress.
End-of-life counseling falls under the category of non-covered services, but probably gets into the payment mix as part of other billing codes doctors use to get paid for more routine "evaluation and management" services.
Providing explicit payment for this service will encourage appropriate and needed discussions between physicians and patients on this very important, difficult and humanitarian topic.
For years, many of us have been concerned about end-of-life issues, such as living wills, pain management and hospice care. Counseling our patients as they age about their options -- and equally important, understanding what our patients' wishes may be -- is an honored part of the physician-patient relationship, especially for primary care internists, family physicians and oncologists. The reality is that we have not been as successful as we need to be in encouraging these discussions.
We have tried for years to get people to sign living wills and provide durable powers of attorney for health care. Medical professionals need guidance -- preferably in advance of the moment -- on what patients want done, either at the time when their lives are coming to an end or when they may not be able to speak for themselves.
for the rest click here
Health Care Reform Debate Turns to Euthanasia, Death Panel Gone Too Far - ABC News
Lynnie
SoWal Insider
Thanks, LS. That has nothing to do with my post. ;-)
Scooterbugg44, I don't think the gov't will reduce your life expectancy at all. There was a question posed by Here4Good about Schiavo only being 30 years old and who at that age has planned to be brain dead and on life support? My post was in response to that.
Hnooe's assumption regarding my post is just that, an assumption.
That's all - no big deal! Glad you've had the conversation. I would have it tightened up as a physician won't remove life support without your wishes in writing, etc........
Disclaimer: This is just a suggestion and not advice. I state this so I am not misunderstood again.
Lynnie
SoWal Insider
Thanks! I'm not a birther, a deather or a teabagger, but I respect those who are and don't really concern myself with them.
Disclaimer: neither am I a person who posts or lives my life based upon instilling fear in others.
LuciferSam
Banned
Yes it does. You made a misleading statement and I'll remind you. You said "...Now, our gov't can attempt to force it [planning] in the guise of health care reform. " That's simply not true. The end of life consultations are optional, not forced. That is the kind of statement a deather would make.;-)
Lake View Too
SoWal Insider
It really seems like the govt. just wants to encourage people to deal with end of life issues in a really voluntary and benighn(sp) way. Why have the shout-downers tried to distort it so much... and for that matter, why don't the Dems just drop the provision that the one consultation every five years will be covered. It really doesn't seem that important.
LuciferSam
Banned
It really seems like the govt. just wants to encourage people to deal with end of life issues in a really voluntary and benighn(sp) way. Why have the shout-downers tried to distort it so much... and for that matter, why don't the Dems just drop the provision that the one consultation every five years will be covered. It really doesn't seem that important.
That would be appeasing the nutjobs.
Lynnie
SoWal Insider
Nothing misleading.....don't forget the word 'attempt.' We are talking health care reform vs. single payor system. I am not a birther, deather, shouter or teabagger. And, if someone thought I meant something different, then a question as opposed to a statement would have been more appropriate.
;-)
LuciferSam
Banned
Nothing misleading.....don't forget the word 'attempt.' We are talking health care reform vs. single payor system. I am not a birther, deather, shouter or teabagger. And, if someone thought I meant something different, then a question as opposed to a statement would have been more appropriate.
;-)
No evidence there will even be an attempt. Misleading all the way.