The Death Panel and H.R. 3200

In the past several months, I've strayed away from my love of politics. But all this hoopla concerning H.R. 3200 (America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009) has caused a great deal of concern for me - as a person looking for the best health care plan possible, as a nurse who witnesses the abuse that is occurring in our health care system everyday and most of all as an American citizen.

I've listened to the news...I've watched the violence and hate-filled verbal outbursts spill out like venom at these so called "town hall meetings". Enough is enough. So, I decided to research the most absurd of the allegations being circulated by opponents of the bill.

Capitalizing Off Fear

The Liberty Counsel, a nationwide public interest religious civil liberties law firm, has posted "their" own review of the entire 1017 page bill. In a nutshell, it's false, misconstrued and capitalizing on the fear of the unknown.

People are naturally skeptical of change and most certainly afraid of what they don't understand. Case and point how could anyone think our country/government would institute "death panels" to weed out the sick, poor or whatever. If people would just take the time to READ the bill. Don't formulate an opinion based on what your neighbor says or what the news is reporting...READ IT!!!

Furthermore, if you don't feel our country could benefit from reforming this broken healthcare system, explain to me how less Americans than ever currently have insurance....and yet the INSURANCE COMPANIES are reporting higher profits. That just doesn't add up. Well actually it does...it means insurance premiums have sky-rocketed and Americans are worse off.

Opponents want to scream "It's SOCIALISM". To be perfectly honest, the proposed plan isn't socialized medicine it's SOCIALIZED INSURANCE....and they certainly could use a strong dose of government intervention considering some of the practices these multi-million dollar companies have practiced over the years.

Now back to the portion of the bill that has so many Americans concerned. In actuality that portion (Sec. 1233 Pg. 424-432) related to this outrageous "death panel" simply provides for Advance Care Planning Consultation.

In layman's terms...your physician/healthcare provider sits down and discusses with his (terminal) patient end of life "options" - advanced directives, living wills, durable power of attorneys, palliative care and/or hospice.

Education is Key

Educating the public about their options and being reimbursed for doing so is all it saying. And if you don't think our public needs educating...let me share with you something that happened just last night.

A 90 year old woman was rushed to the ER by ambulance. According to the family, the woman hadn't eaten or drank anything in the past two days. Upon arrival, it was clear that the patient was severely malnourished.

As we moved her from the stretcher to the gurney, the smell was so putrid and foul...it was almost unbearable.

The poor woman was moaning in pain. Our routine skin assessment revealed a bed sore large enough to fit both of your fists in where her buttocks should have been.

This precious soul was rotting from the inside out. When her daughter arrived she informed us that the patient had terminal cancer and Alzheimer's.

The doctor explained to the daughter that her mother's condition was extremely grave. While writing his admission orders he asked the daughter a question I've heard so many times over the years...IF YOUR MOTHER'S HEART STOPS, DO YOU WANT US TO ATTEMPT TO RESUSCITATE HER? The daughter said...YES, I WANT YOU TO CODE MY MOTHER. DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN.

Understanding the Dying Process

Now I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes but to be honest I really don't care. This patient's quality of life is basically ZERO. Her bed sore is bigger than she is. She's 90 years old. Her cancer is so advanced you can feel the tumors in her abdomen through her skin and she's suffering from advanced Alzheimer's!

Later on in the night the patient's heart did stop. The ER physician ran upstairs to direct the code. Of course, she didn't make it. Thank God...

There are some things worse than death and this poor woman certainly had endured many of them.

* Please take the time to read the bill or atleast portions you're concerned about. Know the facts...THEN FORM AN OPINION. I've posted a link to the bill at the top of this page