AARP FACT #2: No legislation currently in Congress would mandate the rationing of care. Period.
Our staff has read all of the legislation circulating in Congress and there are no provisions in these bills that would ration care for our members. None. If any ever did, we would vigorously fight to stop that legislation.2
Does this make sense? The government keeps telling us that social security and medicare are going broke, the President says he is going to cut 400 billion from Medicare and in just a couple more years baby boomers will be hitting the medicare system. So, with medicare having less money, more people on medicare and the Congressional Budget Office says that the current medicare system is not sustainable … does there need to be a mandate? If they run out of money and it becomes an “emergency” …. then somebody is going to be making decisions about what health care seniors are going to have available to them.
AARP FACT #3: There is no provision of any piece of legislation that would promote euthanasia of any kind.
The rumors out there are flat out lies. Right now Medicare does not cover counseling for end-of-life care. The portion of the bill in question would simply provide coverage for optional end-of-life consultations with doctors, so that the patient can be aware of all of the treatment options on the table. It is not mandatory and it has nothing to do with euthanasia.3
OF course there is no legislation promoting euthanasia … however in this state (Washington) we did pass the right to die law. Perhaps in 10 years when I hit 75 and oh, lets say maybe I break a hip … and medicare has limited funds, if any, is there going to be a government appointed panel (oh yea, Obama is already working on that panel) that will decide if it’s cost effect to repair an old ladies hip? Well, I would have my dog put down so if the government decided that it wasn’t cost effective and I had the choice to just live with a broken hip or be put to sleep … guess which one I would choose? And in this state, it would be my choice not the government telling me I had to choose euthanasia. However, it would be nice if the government would at least pay for it!
AARP FACT #4: We have not endorsed President Obama’s plan.
In fact, we haven’t endorsed any plan. We are supporting reform of our health care system, something that AARP has pushed for many years. We’re working closely with Republican and Democratic members of Congress to lower health care costs and to ensure quality affordable coverage for older Americans – and we want reform legislation passed and signed by the president this year.4
Why then do I keep getting emails and automated phone calls from AARP asking me to call/write/fax my Rep to ask them to pass the health care reform bill? Again, people keep asking WHAT’S THE HURRY? We do need health care reform, but why does AARP and the Politicians insist that he has to be done this year? Personally, I would like to see them FIRST fix medicare, medicaid and Veterans health care before they completely redo our entire health care system. They can’t even fix what we already have, why should I trust them to create even more health care programs?
This is pretty complicated and once done very difficult to undo! I also think I have a very legitimate concern since the House and Senate have been passing bills this year without reading them. Now that is truly scary!!! I tell my kids, never sign anything until you have completely read and understand what you are signing, should I expect less of the government who’s decisions will affect the lives of those I love?
|
Join the New "Our GOP Senior Citizens Group"
