Posted on 08/23/2009 10:16:47 AM PDT by wagglebee
Popular support for Obamacare is collapsing, due in part to fears that the House Bill’s end-of-life counseling provision for Medicare patients could become a means of pushing seniors into voluntary rationing, that is, into refusing life-sustaining treatment toward the end of saving costs. Despite the president’s early statements that would seem to support that very fear, the administration’s defenders have branded such criticisms “lying about the bill,” or alarmism.
But now, a column in the Wall Street Journal charges that the Obama Administration has ordered veterans to be given counseling about end of life care that pushes the “refuse treatment” option. From “The Death Book for Veterans,” written by Jim Towey:
Last year, bureaucrats at the VA’s National Center for Ethics in Health Care advocated a 52-page end-of-life planning document, “Your Life, Your Choices.” It was first published in 1997 and later promoted as the VA’s preferred living will throughout its vast network of hospitals and nursing homes. After the Bush White House took a look at how this document was treating complex health and moral issues, the VA suspended its use. Unfortunately, under President Obama, the VA has now resuscitated “Your Life, Your Choices.”
Who is the primary author of this workbook? Dr. Robert Pearlman, chief of ethics evaluation for the center, a man who in 1996 advocated for physician-assisted suicide in Vacco v. Quill before the U.S. Supreme Court and is known for his support of health-care rationing.
“Your Life, Your Choices” presents end-of-life choices in a way aimed at steering users toward predetermined conclusions, much like a political “push poll.” For example, a worksheet on page 21 lists various scenarios and asks users to then decide whether their own life would be “not worth living.”
The circumstances listed include ones common among the elderly and disabled: living in a nursing home, being in a wheelchair and not being able to “shake the blues.” There is a section which provocatively asks, “Have you ever heard anyone say, ‘If I’m a vegetable, pull the plug’?” There also are guilt-inducing scenarios such as “I can no longer contribute to my family’s well being,” “I am a severe financial burden on my family” and that the vet’s situation “causes severe emotional burden for my family.” When the government can steer vulnerable individuals to conclude for themselves that life is not worth living, who needs a death panel?
I haven’t seen this particular document, but I have seen others like it. Indeed, here at SHS I highlighted a mainstream bioethics group’s proposed advance directive that has the no life-extending treatment as the default setting. And we musn’t forget that the assisted suicide advocacy group Compassion and Choices–formerly the Hemlock Society–brags about contributing to the end of life counseling section of the bill. Finally, despite repeated calls to make that part explicitly purely voluntary and non directed in the legislation, that hasn’t been done.
If Obama is wondering why so many people don’t trust Obamacare generally or his intentions in this regard specifically, he should take a look at the group photo of his own administration.
That's because killing the elderly, sick and disabled is the GOAL of Zero's deathcare plan.
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They are saying they will remove the counseling but what everyone is missing is the real death panel is the Health Effectiveness Department.
For example, you can’t get that pacemaker because your claim is denied and there is no appeal. That is the real death panel.
At least with private healthcare you can appeal your claim and under certain situations sue. Federal Immunity prevents you from suing.
If health care costs are skyrocketing and much of that cost is related to caring for the elderly in their last months of life, the cost savings promised will involve withholding end-of-life care for the elderly.
It is the only logical conclusion.
We are going to save tons of money and offer health coverage to many who are not now receiving it?
Something somewhere is going to be sacrificed.
The elderly will be thrown from the sleigh to feed the pursuing wolves.
“Federal Immunity prevents you from suing.”
You can still sue the doctor and the hospital under BOcare
If Kathleen Sebelius is in the mix, you can bet people will be encouraged to opt for death. And how long do you think it will be before the death industry establishes a PAC to give money to Democrats? Her political career was financed by partial birth abortions. She is poison.
End of Life means, end THE life, not reach a goal.
Who will deliver us from this Obomination?
yea, but they aren’t the one denying your care.
Definitely! - This is how he wants to "fix" social security.
“yea, but they aren’t the one denying your care.”
they’ll still be liable for providing the service. thats my bet anyway
gnip....
ATTENTION FELLOW TEXANS:
Governor Rick Perry may invoke the 10th Amendment over Obama’s health care bill (Vanity)
7/23/09 | Cowtowney
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2299225/posts?q=1&;page=51
Get after Perry, Texans. Burn up his switch board and fax!
Let him know we don’t want Obama DeathCare.
Say no to Obama’s DeathCare.
Send a message; DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS healthcare!
No! NO you don’t, you muzzie pos. You’re not denying our seniors deserved health care while insuring millions of illegal aliens and while Demorats are REJECTING Obamacare for themselves and their families!
Join organizations who fight ObamaCare.
This is a good organization:
The Alliance of Texans Against Government Controlled Healthcare:
http://www.notintexas.org/
office (972) 466-2915
fax (972) 466-2965
toll-free (866) 377-1300
From the website:
We are currently contacting Governor Rick Perry by fax and mail!
We have made it easy for you to help. Click here to display the letter and contact information.
http://www.notintexas.org/Letter_rick_perry.htm
Petition to STOP government controlled healthcare in Texas
Read and sign the petition
http://www.notintexas.org/Letter_to_Reps.htm
Print and sign the letter
(feel free to make changes if you wish)
Fax the letter to the fax numbers
Mail a hard copy to the addresses
Call their offices
Dear Governor Perry,
On March 30, 2009 the Texas House of Representatives passed HCR 50 affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment.
You have publicly supported this bill, and stated that attorney generals from all over the union could be getting ready to sue the US Government.
We are asking you to take the lead.
We are asking you to order the Texas Attorney General to publicly begin working on a law suit under Article IV, Ninth, and Tenth Amendment of the Constitution.
We are asking you to protect the citizens of Texas that we will not stand for government controlled healthcare in our state.
Under your leadership we can effectively kill the proposal of this administration and allow Texas to be a state free from socialism and collectivism.
Be the voice of reason in the national debate and allow Texans the ability to solve the problems of our state.
Thank you,
(Signature Date)
Lookup your state representatives
FREE FAX SERVICSES:
http://www.gotfreefax.com/
http://faxzero.com/
or google ‘free fax’
Contacting Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Washington Office:
122 C St., NW, Ste. 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 638-3927
Fax: (202) 628-1943
Contact Budget Planning and Policy
Address:1100 San Jacinto
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: (512) 463-1778
Fax: (512) 463-1975
Gregory S. Davidson
Constituent Communication Division Director and
Executive Clerk to the Governor
Phone: (512) 463-1873
Office of the General Counsel
Department Mailing Address
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711
Phone: 512.463.2000
Fax: 512.463.1932
Press Secretary
Allison Castle, Press Secretary
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-1826
Fax: (512) 463-1847
Contact Texas Health Care Policy Council
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-1778
Fax: (512) 463-1975
Sign up. Become a member.
Sign petition against Obamacare!
See member interview with Cavuto!
____________________
From Texans Against Government Controlled Health Care
Facts about the 10th Amendment:
The Tenth Amendment (Amendment X) of the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, was ratified on December 15, 1791. The Tenth Amendment restates the Constitution’s principle of Federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people.
HCR 50 HAS PASSED THE HOUSE 99-36!
Affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, serving notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates, and providing that certain federal legislation be prohibited or repealed.
Take Action! Before it is too late!
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