Posted on 01/04/2017 3:49:07 AM PST by expat_panama
As the new Congress convenes, budget cutters are eyeing Medicare, citing predictions the program for seniors is running out of money. But federal bean counters have erroneously predicted Medicare's bankruptcy for decades.
One mistake is they don't consider medical breakthroughs.
Another problem is medical ethicists like Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, who insist the elderly are a burden, and resources would be better spent on the young.
Don't believe it. New medical findings show how wrong this thinking is... ...Someone who lives to 97 needs only about half as much end-of-life care as someone who dies at 68.
Surprised? Myth has it that the older people get, the sicker they are and the more costly their care. But in truth, disability and chronic illness are declining among the elderly.
Dementia, an especially costly condition for seniors, is down a staggering 24%...
...The elderly live longer, stay healthier, and have shorter illnesses at the end of life...
...Science proves old age is getting better. It's worth living...
...Congress treats Medicare as a piggy bank — raiding it when money is needed elsewhere. In 2010, Democrats in Congress paid for over half of Obamacare's spending by cutting Medicare. This year, Republican lawmakers eager to control federal health spending should avoid that error and instead focus on fixing Medicaid, the money pit program for the poor...
...Medicaid spending now tops $8,000 per recipient. That's thousands more than is spent on people in private plans. For all that money, Medicaid is not improving health.
By contrast, Medicare is a success story. It has transformed aging, enabling older Americans to lead longer, more independent lives than our grandparents did. The average man turning sixty-five today will live five years longer than in 1970. Not just more years. Quality years. What a gift.
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
They do not give end of life care to the elderly. My impression from experience with my 92 year old father is that medical professionals do not want to use resources on the elderly.
Calling Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel a “medical ethicist” is like calling Himmler a humanitarian because Zyklon B was faster than carbon monoxide.
Pain meds are being restricted for those with chronic incurable diseases that are very painful.
Doctors are cutting opioids, even if it harms patients
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2017/01/03/doctors-are-cutting-opioids-even-if-it-harms-patients
FALSE INFO
Ending the opioid epidemic
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jan/3/white-house-leadership-key-to-ending-the-opioid-ep/
Tell that to my parent, of which, we are moving into assisted living this week. My 91 yr old father has dementia and it seems to get worse every day. My mom is currently in rehabilitation recovering from viral pneumonia.
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