Worries are being expressed in some quarters that the House health care reform bill would require senior citizens to receive a mandatory “Advance Care Planning Consultation” every five years, the intent being to push seniors into choosing an earlier death as a cost saving measure. But does it? That’s hard to tell, since the language of the bill refers to other existing laws, and is hence almost unintelligible.
There is a provision for seniors to receive a consultation every five years or when their health status changes materially. The intent is clearly to have them sign advance directives eschewing care. But the bill doesn’t require that care be eschewed, and indeed, mentions the option of full care.
Still, mandatory counseling? That smacks of reeducation, doesn’t it? More details over at Secondhand Smoke .
