Look folks, this is an easy rumor to dispel. No one in Congress is promoting legislation that would allow or lead to government euthanization of older adults. It’s a gross distortion of a completely sensible provision to provide Medicare coverage for patients to sit down with their doctors (not government agents!) and discuss what kind of end-of-life care they want.
Here’s my take:
*UPDATE* The “Crazy” euthanasia debate was front and center on most Sunday morning news programs yesterday. Josh Marshall’s TalkingPointsMemo.com created this great Sunday Show Roundup highlighting the debate:
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I’m glad this video has been popping up around the internet. The truth must be told. Having a healthy debate on the issue is important and that can’t happen when people purposefully promote lies to confuse people.
Is the problem that there is legislation to talk about end of life, or is it that it specifically pinpoints age 65+ to have these discussions? We can die at any age and having discussions about death takes practice. Would the similar legislation encouraging dialogue at all ages carry this much heat? Maybe an end of life discussion could be something that is integrated into annual health physicals. Children and grandchildren might be the ones opening the dialogue with elders and vice-versa. By putting an age on this I see how it helps feeds the stigma that aging is primarily associated with death and diability, two elements that are completely ageless.
Hey Dr Bill, I work as an LVN in the field in which your video is describing.Geriatrics.
I couldnt agree more with you that so many of us put off end of life decisions in regards to health care etc.I think most really try to avoid the inevitable as it terrifies them…I get so upset sometimes at all the lies and exaggerations I hear on television etc.from right wing politicians about the proposed health care reforms.My husband is from Canada and really cant believe all the fear in relating to this particular subject.
He has been here now for seven years and has witnessed both health care programs here and in Canada..His care in Canada was as good as here for far less cost to him.The main thing is that the government of canada doesnt run the health care system ,the Doctors do.Plus the health care system in Canada isnt profit based..it is care based…it isnt perfect to be sure but at least “EVERYONE” is covered health wise from the day they are born to the day they die….In Canada universal health care is regarded not as a priviledge but a right as being a Canadian citizen..I would love for that to happen eventually here as well.My hope is that we can take the best of all the health care programs that the world has to offer and amalgamate them into the best program finacially and most importantly the best health care available for all Americans regardless of income.
I would implore people not to jump to conclusions about this subject but instead really investigate for themselves the true facts about health care systems in so called socialistic countries.
Dr. Thomas, I am glad you are commenting on this- saw it on twitter. I thank you for your work in gerontology and geriatrics. I am in grad school now for gerontology and read ” A Life Worth Living.”
I am a conservative and I do not think that the current admin is proposing to counsel people into not accepting treatment or to euthanize the elderly. It certainly is easy to get people scared about though. I know that most people procrastinate end of life care issues/ advance directives until it is too late and this can be emotionally and financially costly (to say the least). I did not realize that Medicare did not require, encourage or not pay for end of life counseling.
Is it is the Medicare doctor that will see reimbursement rates? or will the patients see care rationed? How can cost be cut so patients do not see a loss of benefits?
It is hard to get an unbiased opinion. I respect yours and look for some insight if you can. Hopefully I can educate some people. Thanks, M