Pelosi Bill Keeps End-of-Life Planning

(AP)  It's alive.

The Medicare end-of-life planning provision that 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said was tantamount to "death panels" for seniors is staying in the latest Democratic health care bill unveiled Thursday.

The provision allows Medicare to pay for voluntary counseling to help beneficiaries deal with the complex and painful decisions families face when a loved one is approaching death.

For years, federal laws and policies have encouraged Americans to think ahead about end-of-life decisions, and make their wishes known in advance through living wills and similar legal documents. But when House Democrats proposed this summer to pay doctors for end-of-life counseling, it touched off a wave of suspicion and anger.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Prominent Republicans singled it out as a glaring example of government overreach.

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, at the time a lead negotiator on health care legislation, told constituents at a town hall meeting they had good reason to question the proposal.

"I don't have any problem with things like living wills, but they ought to be done within the family," he said. "We should not have a government program that determines you're going to pull the plug on grandma."

Thursday, the sponsor of the provision said the barrage of criticism may have actually helped.

"There is nothing more basic than giving someone the option of speaking with their doctor about how they want to be treated in the case of an emergency," said Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. "I think the outrageous and vindictive attacks may have backfired to help raise awareness about this problem, which is why it's been kept in the bill."

The legislation would allow Medicare to pay for a counseling session with a doctor or clinical professional once every five years. The bill calls for such sessions to be "completely" voluntary, and prohibits the encouragement or promotion of suicide or assisted suicide.

The counseling provision is supported by doctors' groups and AARP, the seniors' lobby. It was not included in health care bills passed by two Senate committees.

[afmcalax]

Democrats need to keep fighting the lies and pressing forward. End of Life counseling is essential as so many families cannot come to grips with all the decisions that may have to be made. It is just like the Republicans to demonize with fear this essential service.

As for those against universal coverage ... many of the facts are proven by all the modern societies that have made this type of coverage a standard benefit for all and having it work well. Most countries not supplying this benefit are second and third tier economies. The one fact that America delivers less health care for more cost is the one fact that cannot be escaped.

[doctor_know]

I agree.

[Constitionalist]

Actually have to agree on the first point. Attacking this provision was a dumb, uninformed move by a twit. I don't see why dems hate Palin though, she's the best player on your team.

On the second point, it is about freedom. In this country I can choose to spend half my income on medical care if I choose. In others the choice is made for you. The "one fact that cannot be escaped" is that those opposed to universal coverage want freedom more than security.

That kind of reminds me of the complaints over the Patriot Act. People can view one kind of security as being more important than another. Seems to me both sides are a bit hypocritical.

[hungry1968-17]

by RandomUser1886 October 30, 2009 11:24 AM EDT
If Obamacare becomes law, and millions more flood the system, it will get overwhelmed like Cash for Clunkers did.
But the Government can't 'shut down' health care like Cash for Clunkers.
So once the gigantic cost overruns hit, the Goverment will be forced to raise taxes by record amounts.
Then, when even the Government realizes that we can't be taxed any higher, it will be FORCED to ration care.
That is an undeniable fact and to deny it is like denying the Holocaust.
Obamacare will be a Medical Holocaust.







Did you notice that your whole bizarre scenario, is based on "possible outcomes", and of every "possible outcomes", you're predicting a WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Come back when you have some facts.

At least don't come back until you get a little "knowledge".

[ianlou]

by RandomUser1886 October 30, 2009 11:24 AM EDT
If Obamacare becomes law, and millions more flood the system, it will get overwhelmed like Cash for Clunkers did.
But the Government can't 'shut down' health care like Cash for Clunkers.
So once the gigantic cost overruns hit, the Goverment will be forced to raise taxes by record amounts.
Then, when even the Government realizes that we can't be taxed any higher, it will be FORCED to ration care.
That is an undeniable fact and to deny it is like denying the Holocaust.
Obamacare will be a Medical Holocaust.
****************************************

I like the way RandomUser1886 refers to his dire predictions as fact.
This poster goes as far as to say: denying history (the holocaust)is the same as denying his dire prediction.

The only Fact here is, this poster is confused about what a fact is.

[sjc_1]

This is a large piece of legislation, there is no doubt about that. It merges three versions from three committees into one. There may be some trimming to come, but it probably covers a lot of details. I would rather have the details covered then to have vague language that can be loopholed. All the Republicans can do is pile a stack of paper on the podium and say "look how large it is". I doubt many of them will take the time to read much of it, they will just oppose it without knowing what is in there.

[velma179]

One more time for those in the back row....

1990 pages of legislation -- which is specifically written in the style of the law -- equals about 400 pages of a book or novel.

The wide margins, double or single spacing and Headings etc. -- makes the Page count rise while the Word count does not.

Yes -- it is not easy to read "legalese" -- it isn't written for entertainment, it is written to make LAW.



May I suggest... for NOW:

Download the PDF file while it is posted for the 72 hours.
Read the Sections Listing and find anything you are interested in, then look into that further.
Write your Reps with your concerns.


This is NOT the FINAL HOUSE BILL!

The Senate will also get a FINAL SENATE BILL.

Then they will be merged into the ACTUAL (finally!) FINAL BILL.

That legislation will be the one posted on the White House site and we will have time to read it.

Some of you will say "but it's too late then, we can't do anything about it".

Correct.

Except you will still be allowed to vote for your representatives, which is -- by the way folks -- ALL YOU COULD EVER DO in matters of legislation.

Carry on...

[velma179]

OOps...

I meant to say regarding the formatting in legislation "... double or TRIPLE line spacing..."

[RandomUser1886]

If Obamacare becomes law, and millions more flood the system, it will get overwhelmed like Cash for Clunkers did.
But the Government can't 'shut down' health care like Cash for Clunkers.
So once the gigantic cost overruns hit, the Goverment will be forced to raise taxes by record amounts.
Then, when even the Government realizes that we can't be taxed any higher, it will be FORCED to ration care.
That is an undeniable fact and to deny it is like denying the Holocaust.
Obamacare will be a Medical Holocaust.

[inketolstoy]

"Get some hard FACTS before you come on here with your predictions of gloom and doom."

Ironic you accusing someone else of lacking facts in their post when yours has none either.

[Constitionalist]

"Every civilized country on the face of the Earth has some form of universal health care and none of them are going bankrupt."

Actually, they are. Just not as fast as we are.