If you are going to ration medical care, then I want it to start with folks with no insurance first. The women with 14 children should be about at the limit by now. /sarc.
AARP is bought and sold.
AARP will not react in any way that will furrow the brow of any Democrat. Just as the stimulus bill isn't about economic stimulus, neither is the AARP about the interests of retired people.
INTREP
I have AARP’s reaction for you, right here. I wrote to them, asking how they planned to spin it. This is what I got back:
Dear Ms. [name deleted]:
Thank you for contacting AARP to voice concern about comments from the news media criticizing the comparative effectiveness research provision in the economic recovery package being debated in Congress.
Opponents of health care reform have begun using scare tactics and misleading the public to keep us from fixing our broken health care system. It is my pleasure to clarify what the provision entails.
The economic recovery package being considered by Congress contains a provision which will provide $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research. Comparative effectiveness research is a wonky term that means the ability to compare different kinds of treatments to find out which one works best for which patient. It is
patently false to say this provision will lead to the rationing of care.
Both houses of Congress included funding for this important research in their economic recovery plans because lawmakers understand the need to improve the quality and performance of our health system. AARP would strongly oppose any attempts to limit doctors and hospitals from providing the best possible care to their patients-the provisions in these bills don’t make any such attempt. In fact, this
research would do the opposite-giving doctors the best information available to make health care decisions with their patients.
This research is designed to also empower patients-giving them more and better information so they can make better decisions with their doctors. This is a common sense idea that is, unfortunately, not happening now. Some estimates say that only about half of all therapies that patients receive have been backed up by head-to-head comparisons with alternatives. While our country spends more than $2
trillion a year on health care, we spend less than 0.1 percent on evaluating how that care works compared to other options.
I hope this information sheds light on this issue, which has been misrepresented by some in the media. Again, thank you for providing us the opportunity to share with you the facts regarding this provision. If there is anything we can discuss with you in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Jaimie
Member Communications
Member@aarp.org
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This BS started happening years ago.
You know how many (been a good share of supportive good guys too) in the Medical Pro. see King Vanities life as a burden.
Funny the King and I and those who support his will and choice to live dont see it that way.
I am proud that I have been able to physically care for him and he has lived an eventful life which has been a witness to others who may now see life for all as Gods will and choice to give/take not Mans.
As I recall, AARP threatened to retaliate against Republicans who voted AGAINST the stimulus! Go figure!
Yes. and what's more, under this bill, Specter wouldn't have been covered...then again, he has more than enough money to pay for his own treatment. Therefore, these provisions discriminate against the middle class and the poor. thanks a lot, Arlen.
We've got to get Obama and his D majority OUT in four years. When we do it, the R's had better get in there and make it the number one priority to undo as much of these laws as they can.
BTW I read Collins actually sent a letter to his constituents to "explain" her vote for this mess.
Founding Father, Entrepreneur - The overlooked business career of George Washington Interesting history!
Zero Tolerance, Zero Common Sense
Mark Steyn: Windmills of Your Mindlessness [Flight 93 memorial]
Some noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs, IMHO, FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.
AARP is the NYT for old people who have no brains. I’m sure it will actually end up encouraging their members along the lines of assisted euthenasia in the long term.
Mark
Does this mean now, that we have a right to die?
I thought of the UK when I started reading this and sure enough, the author brought it up, too.
I don’t understand the objections to computerizing medical records. The large multi disipline medical group I use went that way beginning about 5 years ago. The office visit and lab work is much smoother and the info is available for all. When I needed to go to an outside vision specialist for a medical condition, they had the records.
Records of a visit to a Doctor in Twin falls Idaho were available to my doctor in Tennessee. It is a good thing
Does this mean the Medicare drug plan will no longer cover Viagra?
I think The Warlock woman should be put to death IMMEDIATLY,so we dont have to listen to her Banal opinions