Obama discusses deathbed measures

RightinNYC · 06-25-09, 10:05 PM

Obama discusses deathbed measures - Los Angeles Times

Quote:

Reporting from Washington -- President Obama suggested at a town hall event Wednesday night that one way to shave medical costs is to stop expensive and ultimately futile procedures performed on people who are about to die and don't stand to gain from the extra care.

In a nationally televised event at the White House, Obama said families need better information so they don't unthinkingly approve "additional tests or additional drugs that the evidence shows is not necessarily going to improve care."

He added: "Maybe you're better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller."

Obama said he has personal familiarity with such a dilemma. His grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given less than nine months to live, he said.

She fell and broke her hip, "and the question was, does she get hip replacement surgery, even though she was fragile enough they were not sure how long she would last?"

Obama's grandmother died two days before he was elected president in November. It was unclear whether she underwent the hip-replacement surgery.

Huge kudos to Obama for having the balls to say what needs to be said on this. Here's hoping he takes it one step further and reminds people that egardless of the health care system we have, you're not entitled to all the health care that you want. Elder care is one of the biggest black holes in our current system, and needs to be fixed if any new system has any hope of succeeding.

danarhea · 06-25-09, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RightinNYC

Obama discusses deathbed measures - Los Angeles Times

Huge kudos to Obama for having the balls to say what needs to be said on this. Here's hoping he takes it one step further and reminds people that egardless of the health care system we have, you're not entitled to all the health care that you want. Elder care is one of the biggest black holes in our current system, and needs to be fixed if any new system has any hope of succeeding.

What bothers me is that the government gets the final decision on what treatment is acceptable. Of course, as it stands today, the insurance company is frequently the final decider. Whatever happened to the belief that the doctor is the most qualified to make these decisions?

Caine · 06-25-09, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danarhea

What bothers me is that the government gets the final decision on what treatment is acceptable. Of course, as it stands today, the insurance company is frequently the final decider. Whatever happened to the belief that the doctor is the most qualified to make these decisions?

I dunno, it seems to me that a doctor would want a procedure to be done even if not necessary just to obtain more money.

disneydude · 06-25-09, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danarhea

What bothers me is that the government gets the final decision on what treatment is acceptable. Of course, as it stands today, the insurance company is frequently the final decider. Whatever happened to the belief that the doctor is the most qualified to make these decisions?

The only comment I would make to this is that I think you would have a much better likelihood that the doctor's input would be listened to if its not the insurance company who's bottom line profit is making the decision.

Redress · 06-25-09, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danarhea

What bothers me is that the government gets the final decision on what treatment is acceptable. Of course, as it stands today, the insurance company is frequently the final decider. Whatever happened to the belief that the doctor is the most qualified to make these decisions?

Having had to deal with insurance companies and medical decisions for myself, and more notably for my dad as he was dying, I can say that anything would be preferable. Further, no matter how much bureaucracy the government would put on medical coverage, it does not touch what is there now. I am still dealing with my fathers old medical bills, all of which will, eventually, get paid by insurance, 4 years later after his death.

True funny story. I herniated a disc in my neck, which pinched a nerve in my right arm, making work unbearable. Doctor took me off work till I could get all the tests done and see specialist and get surgery. Insurance company turns me down for disability. I call my doctors office to request some information to be faxed to insurance agency, and I explained the situation to her. She tells me that they always turn people down first time out, just mention I was willing to bring in a lawyer if they did not approve me. I tried that and worked like a charm.

celticlord · 06-25-09, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RightinNYC;1058104585[B

you're not entitled to all the health care that you want.[/B]

But....are you entitled to all the health care you can afford?

Councilman · 06-25-09, 11:36 PM

This is no surprise coming from Obama. It falls in line with some of the other ideas and actions he's taken so far. This will come under the heading Government enforced euthanasia.
Obama and no other person in his or any other Government position is remotely qualified to make type of decision. I we do it to our selves and fail it's attempted suicide. If we try to help a friend it's murder. But if Obama the butcher of Chicago comes up with the idea it's a cost saving measure that's good for the country.
Even a Muslim should recognize the fact that sometimes unexplainable recoveries happen from time to time when all hope is seemingly lost.
Whats next the forced killing of all children born with birth defects regardless of the parents wishes.
Are we on the path to Nazi style eugenics where we control human mating to create a master race. If so and Michelle Obama has her way white people need not apply.
I hope the Granola Liberals understand what this Mad Man has said and it meaning to their ill loved ones like Mom & Dad.
The is the sickest thing this "person" has said so far, but I fear it won't be the last or worst. This one clearly goes against the principles America has stood for as long as real Americans have been in charge.

danarhea · 06-25-09, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celticlord

But....are you entitled to all the health care you can afford?

I believe that the right way to frame this question is to ask "Should the government have the right to ration health care?".

hiswoman · 06-25-09, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redress

Having had to deal with insurance companies and medical decisions for myself, and more notably for my dad as he was dying, I can say that anything would be preferable. Further, no matter how much bureaucracy the government would put on medical coverage, it does not touch what is there now. I am still dealing with my fathers old medical bills, all of which will, eventually, get paid by insurance, 4 years later after his death.

True funny story. I herniated a disc in my neck, which pinched a nerve in my right arm, making work unbearable. Doctor took me off work till I could get all the tests done and see specialist and get surgery. Insurance company turns me down for disability. I call my doctors office to request some information to be faxed to insurance agency, and I explained the situation to her. She tells me that they always turn people down first time out, just mention I was willing to bring in a lawyer if they did not approve me. I tried that and worked like a charm.

It almost always does work that way, or so I've heard multiple times.

akyron · 06-25-09, 11:39 PM

Logans Run was a cool show. No one ever got old because they killed them.

06-25-09, 11:36 PM	#7
Councilman Professor Join Date: Apr 2009 Last Seen: Today 02:19 AM Location: Riverside, County, CA. Posts: 1,352 Thanks: 77 Thanked 540 Times in 324 Posts Lean: Slightly Conservative Gender:	Re: Obama discusses deathbed measures This is no surprise coming from Obama. It falls in line with some of the other ideas and actions he's taken so far. This will come under the heading Government enforced euthanasia. Obama and no other person in his or any other Government position is remotely qualified to make type of decision. I we do it to our selves and fail it's attempted suicide. If we try to help a friend it's murder. But if Obama the butcher of Chicago comes up with the idea it's a cost saving measure that's good for the country. Even a Muslim should recognize the fact that sometimes unexplainable recoveries happen from time to time when all hope is seemingly lost. Whats next the forced killing of all children born with birth defects regardless of the parents wishes. Are we on the path to Nazi style eugenics where we control human mating to create a master race. If so and Michelle Obama has her way white people need not apply. I hope the Granola Liberals understand what this Mad Man has said and it meaning to their ill loved ones like Mom & Dad. The is the sickest thing this "person" has said so far, but I fear it won't be the last or worst. This one clearly goes against the principles America has stood for as long as real Americans have been in charge.
	Last edited by Councilman; 06-25-09 at 11:38 PM.

06-25-09, 11:39 PM	#10
akyron Guru Join Date: Nov 2004 Last Seen: Yesterday 09:59 PM Location: Plano Posts: 3,921 Thanks: 604 Thanked 639 Times in 432 Posts Lean: Conservative Gender:	Re: Obama discusses deathbed measures Logans Run was a cool show. No one ever got old because they killed them.
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