« Facts Matter | Main | No Social Security COLAs for Seniors »
Sick to death of Medicare “Death Panel” Propaganda
By NCPSSM | August 19, 2009
Following is the email we delivered to all of our members and supporters today providing the facts about health care reform, Medicare and advance care planning.
A lot of what you’re hearing is just not true…
Get the facts from your National Committee
National Committee Member and Supporters:
Some opponents of health care reform are scaring seniors by reporting that Congress is considering 
legislation to require Medicare beneficiaries to participate in mandatory consultations on how they want to die. This information is NOT correct.
In fact, H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, which is being considered in the House of Representatives, includes a provision to improve the Medicare program by authorizing reimbursement of up to one Advance Care Planning Consultation every five years.
The consultation is not mandatory; rather, Medicare would provide reimbursement if beneficiaries voluntarily choose to meet with a health care practitioner for information about advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney; the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, such as palliative care and hospice; and orders regarding life sustaining treatment.
The purpose of Sec. 1233, page 425, of H.R. 3200 – which conservative commentators are misrepresenting to stir up opposition to health care reform legislation – is to help people discuss their views regarding end-of-life care with their families and health care providers before the need for such care arises and to learn what they must do to ensure that their wishes are carried out if they become incapacitated.
The Advance Care Planning Consultation, which would be paid for by Medicare, is intended to improve the quality of end-of-life care provided to beneficiaries. These meetings between patients and their doctors would be completely voluntary and no one would be required to complete an advance care directive or living will.
You can read more on this subject on our website.
Thank you for your help,
Barbara B. Kennelly
President and CEO
Topics: Barbara B. Kennelly, Medicare, healthcare | 8 Comments »
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Are you serious? Let’s get Tort Reform, Reimbursement rates, state line limits for Ins. Sales in place. Let’s talk about you getting out of our way… it’s our money, and I find in very condescending that you think you know more than I do about what I need. You are my lobbyist!
The Obama administration has done more good for conservative reformation than he ever imagined by his obtuse, “in your face” rollout of his well learned socialist agenda. His narcissism is showing badly, and that;s good for the rest of us.
By the way, how about a few more Chicagoland convicted felons in the administrations and a few more of the “Rahm” family socialists too.
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Rather than cut socal security for the next two years, how about the same amount of debt in the “cash for klunkers” program transferred to the SS fund to keet that revenue “IN” te economy rather than more money for GM & Chrysler coffers.. c’mon people!
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I too am sick of LIES, LIES, LIES from Grand Old Party of “No”
August 28th, 2009 at 8:17 am
It is a fact that ObamaCare will result in rationed health care for senior citizens on Medicare. $500 billion dollars in cuts will insure that happens.
August 28th, 2009 at 11:39 am
It is NOT a fact that health care reform will ration health care for seniors. http://aging.senate.gov/issues/healthcare/reform.cfm
Did you know most of the cuts in Medicare are really just repealing the billions in outrageous industry giveaways the GOP stuck in the 2003 Medicare Modernization (really Privatization) Act. Cutting these subsidies to an industry that has shown record profits since then, it NOT cutting benefits no matter what Rush Limbaugh says.
Seniors should be fooled into believing cutting industry giveaways is cutting benefits. That’s just not the same thing! Especially when the truth is, some of those savings are then being reinvested back into reforms that directly benefit seniors such as, no co-payments for preventative care, elimating the Part D doughnut hole, increasing reimbursement to doctors in Medicare and extending the Medicare Trust Fund for 5 years.
Of course, the facts are never as interesting as lies designed to scare seniors, protect insurance profits and defeat real health care reform.
From Sick to death of Medicare “Death Panel” Propaganda, 2009
September 1st, 2009 at 10:22 am
I’m tried of the Socialist Democratic Party and thier propaganda about ObamaCare. This Health Care reform SUCKS! and all you Liberals out know it. We have Health care lets fix the problems associated with it, not more government in our lives.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
See #6 from Walter…………….my sentements exactly! You just lost a subscriber! I signed up for “preserving” what we have with adjustments, addressing fraud, tort reform, illegal alien issues. ObamaCare, give me a break!!!!!!!!
September 30th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
If you truly want to preserve the Medicare program, you should reexamine the facts about reform. Medicare cannot survive without healthcare reform. Reform must address the rising costs of health care for everyone, and part of those rising costs are the uninsured who we all end up paying more for anyway. Another part of those costs are the subsidies paid out to those fat-cat private insurers in the Medicare Advantage program. Those need to be cut and that’s part of the $500 bil they keep harping about. Medicare will be stronger with reform, not weaker. Check your facts. This group is at least trying to get the facts out there since the oppositon has done nothing but resort to scare tactics and cheap shots.