White House Changes End-of-Life Medicare Rules

[sabra]

Source: CBS News/AP

References to End-of-Life Counseling, Which Sparked "Death Panel" Debate, Dropped Before Health Care Repeal Vote

(AP) WASHINGTON - Reversing a potentially controversial decision, the Obama administration will drop references to end-of-life counseling from the ground rules for Medicare's new annual checkup, a White House official said Wednesday.

The latest shift on the sensitive subject comes ahead of a vote next week in the new GOP-led House to repeal President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul.

The decision is not likely to have much impact on patients and doctors already discussing options for care in the last stages of life. For example, voluntary end-of-life planning is already covered as part of the "Welcome to Medicare" doctor visit, available to seniors within the first year of joining the program.

The original House version of the overhaul legislation sought to expand coverage, allowing for discussions every few years. But the plan was dropped after Sarah Palin and other Republicans raised the specter of "death panels" deciding the fate of vulnerable seniors. Those charges were later debunked by several non-partisan fact-checking groups.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/05/national/main7216133.shtml?tag=stack

[elocs]

1. I read about it here this morning:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x119605

[No Elephants]

11. So?

[Angry Dragon]

2. The republicans just moved the death panels to Arizona

[onehandle]

3. Cowardly weakness. nt

[SpankMe]

4. Jesus H. Christ!!!!!!!!

Do those guys in the Whitehouse STILL think they can get Republican votes by making the health reform even lamer?

Death panels have been debunked. EOL counseling would fly, now. This is pure cowardice.

[Elmore Furth]

5. The GOP's 'let's kill granny' Issue was a Red Herring -- Good Riddance

Sometimes, it isn't worth the fight.

[savalez]

6. exactly.

[Hoyt]

9. Agree. Personally, I'm for introducing a bill endorsing Euthanasia for all.

Euthanasia would do more good for folks who suffer than many of the expensive "innovations" touted by medical equipment manufacturers and drug companies.

"Boner" and his good ole thugs are against end of life discussions, etc., unless it's through callous budget cutting that hurts lots of people or refusal to support good legislation.

[Metta]

7. Obama strengthens the lies and shows even more weakness. Happy karma.

What a let down, again.

[russspeakeasy]

8. CAN THIS ADMINISTRATION GET ANY WEAKER?

The correct answer is yes and they will prove it. 

[PSPS]

10. Instead of Boehner, Obama is now taking his directions from Palin. Disgusting.