I disagree with the author, this provision should NOT be removed from the plan.
First, it shows the outrageousness of this whole exercise.
Second, in the unlikely event it DOES pass, as a senior citizen ( I think, I’m 61) I’m looking forward to having these meetings. They ought to have them yearly.
I’m going to look forward to it, and my ‘consular’ is going to need some therapy herself after meeting with me.
Check out page 761, where the bait and switch occurs:
‘‘(7) SPECIAL RULE FOR FISCAL YEARS 2017, 2018, AND 2019.—
‘‘(A) FISCAL YEAR 2017.—Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the total DSH allotments for all
States for—
‘‘(i) fiscal year 2017, shall be the total DSH allotments that would otherwise be determined under this subsection for such fiscal year decreased by $1,500,000,000;
‘‘(ii) fiscal year 2018, shall be the total DSH allotments that would otherwise be determined under this subsection for such fiscal year decreased by $2,500,000,000; and
‘‘(iii) fiscal year 2019, shall be the total DSH allotments that would otherwise be determined under this subsection for such fiscal year decreased by $6,000,000,000.’’
In other words, old people are refused all treatment by 2019.
When the time comes, if such meetings are mandatory, I am going to take with me a big, fat, juicy creme pie to apply to the face of the person doing the counseling. And maybe a stink bomb if they haven’t been outlawed by our Overlords by then.
While I agree that discussing end of life issues is generally a good thing, I have a HUGE problem with the federal goverment telling me what my doctor and I can talk about and forcing me to have any conversation with my physician at all. The end of MY life is MY responsibility and I’ll have the discussion with whoever I damn well choose!
What’s the penalty if I or my doctor refuse to have this discussion.
LOL