Seniors’ Health Care Bill Of Rights: GOP Garbage

The Republican National Committee has published aSeniors’ Health Care Bill Of Rights. I reprinted a few of the bullets and made some quick comments inred. Michael Steele really should be embarassed to have this on his website and in theWashington Post.

• PREVENT GOVERNMENT FROM INTERFERING WITH END-OF-LIFE CARE DISCUSSIONS:The Democrats’ government-run health care experiment would have seniors meet with a doctor to discuss end-of-life care that could mean limiting treatment. Republicans believe that government should not interfere with end-of-life care discussions between a patient and a doctor.There is no government interference. Yes the consultation might mean "limiting treatment." But only if the patient wants that, and most do. [UPDATE: I suppose it is worth conceding, as a statistical matter, that Medicare coverage is intended to and probably would result in more people forgoing treatments that might have prolonged their biological life (aka corporeal persistence). But that muct be understood against a status quo where (1) most people WANT to forgo treatment at some point, and (2) the presumption is against such forgoing. Covering ACP just gives those who want to opt out the "real" opportunity to opt out from what they do NOT want.]

• PROHIBIT GOVERNMENT FROM GETTING BETWEEN SENIORS AND THEIR DOCTORS:The Democrats’ government-run health care experiment will give patients less power to control their own medical decisions, and create government boards that would decide what treatments would or wouldn’t be funded. Republicans believe in patient-centered reforms that put the priorities of seniors before government.Here, the GOP is correct in their charges. But they are wrong in their response. Medicare has payment limits now. Perhaps the scope of coverage will narrow. But the newly uncovered interventions would have had limited effectiveness. And the CBO, the Federal Reserve, and others all warn that without spending control, Medicare expenses seriously endager national security.

• PROHIBIT EFFORTS TO RATION HEALTH CARE BASED ON AGE:The Democrats’ government-run health care experiment would set up a “comparative effectiveness research commission” where health care treatment decisions could be limited based on a patient’s age. Republicans believe that health care decisions are best left up to seniors and their doctors.Yes, age is a factor if you are using QALYs as the CEA tool. But Medicare is only about coverage, only about paying for treatment. If "health care treatment decisions could be limited," that would be the patient's own decision.