In the 2008 presidential election, the term “death panels” was used as a scare tactic against the Democratic Party and its push for health care reform.
In her position as a vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin said such panels would decide who was worthy of health care.
John Boehner, soon-to-be speaker of the house, still maintains the overhaul of health reform puts the United States “on the road to euthanasia.”
THE HYPERBOLE comes from the inclusion of Medicare-covered annual discussions with one’s primary physician on end-of-life care, which becomes effective Jan. 1.
For those who accept death as inevitable, the discussions help put them at ease. Many have already taken responsibility by establishing durable power of attorney when they also draw up their living wills and wills. In addition to designating beneficiaries, they have made clear their wishes about their last days on Earth. There’s nothing Machiavellian about the process. No pulling of the plug prematurely.
The term death panel is catchy; and totally off the mark. For one, no “panel” exists that will evaluate a person’s state of health. Secondly, the discussions help one determine how they want to live at life’s end — not how they are to die.
The discussion with your physician involves whether you want the heart to be kept beating by artificial means when all other functions have ceased.
For those who have made such intentions clear through advance directives, the majority say they do not wish to receive life-sustaining treatment if the efforts are futile or there will be no quality of life. And contrary to rumor, most seniors want the right to make these decisions, which is why Congress passed the Patient Self-Determination Act in 1990, mandating that all Medicare-certified institutions provide residents with the right to dictate end-of-life care.
This measure takes it one step further, covering all senior citizens whether they are in a care center or not.
For most physicians, the discussions are part of routine care.
THE CRUX, of course, is to make these decisions while one is still still hale and hearty.
If you want your say-so to carry weight, don’t wait.
— Susan Lynn
