A preview of death panels from VA
In the Wall Street Journal, Jim Towey exposes the use of death counseling at VA;
Last year, bureaucrats at the VA’s National Center for Ethics in Health Care advocated a 52-page end-of-life planning document, “Your Life, Your Choices.” It was first published in 1997 and later promoted as the VA’s preferred living will throughout its vast network of hospitals and nursing homes. After the Bush White House took a look at how this document was treating complex health and moral issues, the VA suspended its use. Unfortunately, under President Obama, the VA has now resuscitated “Your Life, Your Choices.”
Who is the primary author of this workbook? Dr. Robert Pearlman, chief of ethics evaluation for the center, a man who in 1996 advocated for physician-assisted suicide in Vacco v. Quill before the U.S. Supreme Court and is known for his support of health-care rationing.
Funny how this program gets switched back on when this administration comes in. But then veterans’ care is the government laboratory for administering it’s own civilian health care plans.
Category: Health Care debate, Veteran Health Care
I wonder what the incoming National Commander for the American Legion will have to say about this?
The government has a long tradition of experimenting on current service members, and again when they become veterans.
I don’t understand how this is a death panel. The article explicitly states that there is no panel – the decisions are made by the patient. Maybe the form in question is poorly worded (although I think this is debatable), but I think that’s the author’s only real complaint. It sounds like he mostly just wants to substitute his own form for the one the VA came up with.
who are these gullible veterans that fall for these scare tactics? Wasn’t it just a couple weeks ago that we were talking about how Obama was going to attack the VA health care in his “ObamaCare”? And a few years ago, we worried that the Bush Admin was going to increase co-pays.
People, stop being so gullible. Just like the tries to scare the elderly, the right also tries to scare the Vets.
Nothing is ever going to happen to your TriCare or your VA Healthcare. It’s pathetic politics!
“People, stop being so gullible. Just like the tries to scare the elderly, the right also tries to scare the Vets.”
Sorry…forgot to put the word “left” in that statement. Should read, Just like the left tries to scare the elderly, the right also tries to scare the Vets.
I need to go back to school and learn proofreading
End of life counseling is hardly a “death panel.” Being someone that has worked in a nursing home, TRUST ME, not getting hooked up to a feeding tube when you’re in late stage Alzheimer’s is a good thing. For those that think “life at all costs” well, enjoy that, but don’t dictate it for others. There is nothing wrong with opting out of care if the care just prolongs a life without quality.
ElderGuru,
You seem to have missed the point. It ISN’T that living wills aren’t valuable, they are. No one disputes that.
Our anger is at the way this product was assembled and worded, so that it naturally leads the reader to a feeling of “just let me die” rather than giving out basic objective facts, and letting the patient decide for himself.
This 52-page pamphlet is DESIGNED to push the reader into a specific outcome, so as to save money and resources, rather than preserve the most important resource, LIFE!
That is what you can look forward to under ObamaCare. When the government is writing the checks, the government will decide how much you will get.