Louisville Courier Journal: RX: Telling The [Healthcare] Truth.
RX: Telling The Truth
Repetition, Franklin Roosevelt said, does not transform a lie into truth. Let's hope he's still right about that, especially when it comes to the latest effort to reform health care in the United States, because there is startling evidence to the contrary.
Some citizens are buying into outrageous lies and distortions being peddled by forces that don't want any change. They hear on the radio, or read on the Internet, or watch on the news, that their care will be rationed, that older people may be “euthanized,” that this reform is government “takeover” of medicine. None of that is true, but they keep hearing it.
With that fear and loathing as foundation, no wonder that a number of health care forums around the nation have devolved into screamfests, shoving matches and fist fights.
All this is in early August, just days into Washington's recess and without the benefit of a completed Senate bill as part of the discussion.
Still, the truth is out there for those who prefer light to heat.
The text of the House's bill — H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 — can be found here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:
Also, congressmen and women who worked on the legislation (for and against) are using their summer recess for personal and digital meetings with constituents to discuss provisions — if they can. Several have been shouted down, one has had his car mobbed and another has received death threats.
The biggest flashpoints so far center on Section 1233 of the bill, which is designed to deliver considered care for end-of-life and older years. The bill is clear about that, but for emphasis, we asked U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth to explain. He said:
“This provision simply ensures that if a doctor and patient have a conversation about end-of-life care — including sharing information about hospice, living wills, and other resources — Medicare will reimburse the doctor for his or her time. It is completely optional.”
Moreover, a number of groups, including the National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, the United Church of Christ, AARP and a number of nursing, hospice and physicians' organizations, support this provision.
Given the craziness that already has cropped up, the media need to step up and shine the light on what health reform is and what it isn't. The people need to educate themselves on the same. Both efforts will serve to weaken future manipulation of truth.
Remember this about those who have fomented the distortions and lies so far: Such manipulation doesn't honor the American heritage of informed debate and decision. Nor does it honor the lives of the people whose ignorance and passion are being exploited for interests that surely do not and will not serve them.
Repetition, Franklin Roosevelt said, does not transform a lie into truth. Let's hope he's still right about that, especially when it comes to the latest effort to reform health care in the United States, because there is startling evidence to the contrary.
Some citizens are buying into outrageous lies and distortions being peddled by forces that don't want any change. They hear on the radio, or read on the Internet, or watch on the news, that their care will be rationed, that older people may be “euthanized,” that this reform is government “takeover” of medicine. None of that is true, but they keep hearing it.
With that fear and loathing as foundation, no wonder that a number of health care forums around the nation have devolved into screamfests, shoving matches and fist fights.
All this is in early August, just days into Washington's recess and without the benefit of a completed Senate bill as part of the discussion.
Still, the truth is out there for those who prefer light to heat.
The text of the House's bill — H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 — can be found here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:
Also, congressmen and women who worked on the legislation (for and against) are using their summer recess for personal and digital meetings with constituents to discuss provisions — if they can. Several have been shouted down, one has had his car mobbed and another has received death threats.
The biggest flashpoints so far center on Section 1233 of the bill, which is designed to deliver considered care for end-of-life and older years. The bill is clear about that, but for emphasis, we asked U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth to explain. He said:
“This provision simply ensures that if a doctor and patient have a conversation about end-of-life care — including sharing information about hospice, living wills, and other resources — Medicare will reimburse the doctor for his or her time. It is completely optional.”
Moreover, a number of groups, including the National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, the United Church of Christ, AARP and a number of nursing, hospice and physicians' organizations, support this provision.
Given the craziness that already has cropped up, the media need to step up and shine the light on what health reform is and what it isn't. The people need to educate themselves on the same. Both efforts will serve to weaken future manipulation of truth.
Remember this about those who have fomented the distortions and lies so far: Such manipulation doesn't honor the American heritage of informed debate and decision. Nor does it honor the lives of the people whose ignorance and passion are being exploited for interests that surely do not and will not serve them.
Labels: Keeping them honest, Public health
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 8:08 AM
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