Your morning jolt: No one’s granny will be put down, says Johnny Isakson
The Washington Post turns to U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson this morning to address beliefs espoused by Sarah Palin and others that a House health care reform bill would create “death panels” for the elderly and disabled children.
Given the intense debate, the entire piece is worth your time, but here’s a taste:
Is this bill going to euthanize my grandmother? What are we talking about here?
In the health-care debate mark-up, one of the things I talked about was that the most money spent on anyone is spent usually in the last 60 days of life and that’s because an individual is not in a capacity to make decisions for themselves. So rather than getting into a situation where the government makes those decisions, if everyone had an end-of-life directive or what we call in Georgia “durable power of attorney,” you could instruct at a time of sound mind and body what you want to happen in an event where you were in difficult circumstances where you’re unable to make those decisions…..
How did this become a question of euthanasia?
I have no idea. I understand — and you have to check this out — I just had a phone call where someone said Sarah Palin’s web site had talked about the House bill having death panels on it where people would be euthanized. How someone could take an end of life directive or a living will as that is nuts. You’re putting the authority in the individual rather than the government. I don’t know how that got so mixed up.
You’re saying that this is not a question of government. It’s for individuals.
It empowers you to be able to make decisions at a difficult time rather than having the government making them for you.
The policy here as I understand it is that Medicare would cover a counseling session with your doctor on end-of-life options.
Correct. And it’s a voluntary deal.
— Everyone’s breathing a sigh of relief that last night’s health care forum at Georgia Perimeter College didn’t turn into a YouTube-worthy brawl.
But there was another Georgia thread that played out in the hours leading up to the town hall meeting sponsored by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Decatur).
After his worries about a racial undertone in the debate were noted in this space, U.S. Rep. David Scott, also an African-American Democrat from metro Atlanta, took aired his concerns in lengthy interviews on both Fox News and CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”
Blitzer included in the discussion Dr. Brian Hill, a urologist from Scott’s district who was among those attempting to question the congressman about health care during an Aug. 1 town hall meeting.
The CNN session ended on a somewhat friendly note:
HILL: How about a nice health care forum? How about a nice — is this health fair on Friday — I mean on Sunday — excuse me, on Saturday the 15th, is that — is that physicians and patients getting together?
SCOTT: I think it would be excellent because we’re going to have the physicians there, doctors, the people who are actually providing the health care, the drug manufacturing companies. So, people will be there who can entertain that.
HILL: Will you be there?
SCOTT: I will be there, and I’d love for you to come to it.
The Georgia congressman ended the discussion with what may now be a Washington ritual. “Maybe we’ll have a beer together,” he said.
— Now that the drama is over, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland confirmed Monday that the Coweta County congressman was one of those attempting to recruit former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz as a Republican candidate for the U.S. House from Florida.
Westmoreland spokesman Brian Robinson said his boss was acting as a vice chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee.
Holtz, 72, shot down the idea last week. “I’m working for ESPN. I don’t want to run for Congress,” Holtz said. “All I’m going to do is fulfill the commitment to ESPN. I’m prepared for it and then we’ll go from there.”
Westmoreland is confident, his spokesman said, that another strong Republican will be found to take 24th District — in northeast Florida — from Suzanne Kosmas, who won the traditionally GOP congressional seat in 2008.
— Two Russian attack submarines have been cruising in international waters just off the eastern U.S. coast, and U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss says it would be worthwhile to know why.
This from The Hill, the D.C. newspaper and web site:
The Navy has tracked the two nuclear-powered Akula class subs with sonar and aerial surveillance but does not know what exactly the vessels are doing just outside U.S. territorial waters, say members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“They’ve been off the coast of Georgia,” said Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), a member of the Armed Services panel. “It’s one of those things we have to watch very carefully.
“I certainly would expect someone to ask them what’s going on,” he said. “Somebody at the Pentagon should be asking that.”
While you ponder that, consider these items found while perusing this morning’s ajc.com:
Georgia universities prepare for more cuts. Gov. Sonny Perdue says he’s already taken his furlough days. McDonough police chief’s wife accused of theft. Traveler’s Rest Baptist buys 51-acre Paulk church in Decatur for $17.6 million. Drop in sales tax revenue forces Cobb to pare down road, sidewalk plans. “Non-dad” cleared of child-support obligations.
Some opinion:
Your Luckovich fix. Budget cuts whomp Georgia’s parks. Pro and Con: Does raising the minimum wage help the economy? For healthy kids, ban junk food from school vending machines.
And beyond:
WSJ: Congress retreates over jet purchase. WP: Congo’s rape epidemic worsens during U.S.-backed military operation. NYT: Pro-democracy leader in Myanmar is convicted.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
30 comments Add your comment
pd
August 11th, 2009
10:04 am
pd
August 11th, 2009
9:49 am
http://www.apa.org/pi/eol/role.html
That ^ is a link to the American Psychological Association’s description of “End of Life Counseling”.
As you can read, it has absolutely nothing to do with euthanasia. That is garbage.
End of Life Counseling is helping a person deal with their inevitable death and making sure that they have the medical care necessary. A major part of it is dealing with depression.
Two elderly men in Atlanta killed their wives and themselves this month. Most likely they were dealing with depression. A counselor MAY have been able to help them deal with it and avoid that tradgedy.
To paint End of Life Counseling as something evil is irresponsible and if you are doing that, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Randy Taylor
August 11th, 2009
10:12 am
Isn’t it amazing that folks beleive that their government could be moving toward euthenasia planning for the elderly. I think the larger isssue for our politiicians is to do some soul searching and figure out why that is beleivable in our country. Our Representastives, Senators and President have lost credibility with the people. Perhaps some dealing from the top of the table would be a good place to start along with real debate instead of this legislative cram down process we have all experienced since Obama took over.
JF McNamara
August 11th, 2009
10:15 am
I live in David Scott’s district, and I absolutely abhor the fact that he represents me. Voting against him is the only reason I show up at the polls especially after he racially attacked Republican Honeycutt whose also African American. He’s a crook and a con man as you can see on his wikipedia page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Scott_(Georgia)
Nevertheless, I think he’s probably on the right side of healthcare. The paycheck must not have been big enough from the Healthcare companies.
Rickster
August 11th, 2009
10:18 am
I don’t think anyone said that the government would kill people. But concerns arose over the withholding of treatment that could cure a condition (or at least prolong the life) for someone in their upper years. That would still result in the premature death of the patient – despite the fact that the government did not take an active role in their demise.
But President Obama is on record as having said that maybe an older person should “take a pill” to relieve their pain rather than pursue medical treatment that might result in an improvement in their quality of life.
RGB
August 11th, 2009
10:35 am
Let me ensure I understand your point.
You are asserting that the Congress of the United States will be voting on “End of Life Counseling” as defined and described by the American Psychological Association–not as described on page 425 of the bill itself.
I’m glad I read these blogs. Otherwise I would have thought they were voting on the language that is included in the bill itself.
On another note, regarding Isakson’s assertion that such “counseling sessions” are “a voluntary deal”–I don’t see that language in the bill. Rather, the section begins:
‘‘Advance Care Planning Consultation
6 ‘‘(hhh)(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the
7 term ‘advance care planning consultation’ means a con8
sultation between the individual and a practitioner de9
scribed in paragraph (2) regarding advance care planning,
10 if, subject to paragraph (3), the individual involved has
11 not had such a consultation within the last 5 years. Such
12 consultation **shall** include the following:
When the law includes the word “shall”, it typically means that the issue being discussed is NOT optional.
Should you want to entrust your family’s health to the federal government and its slate of bureaucrats, that is your choice. As for me, I don’t believe any of these individuals will regard the health of my family in the same way I do. Therefore I am opposed to a government takeover of a health care system that works well for most.
pd
August 11th, 2009
10:36 am
Rickster, unfortunately, people ARE saying that the government will kille people. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stated that the bill will result in “Death Panels” for example.
Its unfortunate that there is so much misinformation circulating that the American people can’t take and objective look at what is being considered. Our own biases are clouding our judgement. That is on both sides, by the way.
We should all take a look at other Countries that have similar plans, and without the interference of media, really consider if we would like that in America. Then we should consider the costs associated and evaluate our current system.
Remove our biases, then decide.
Kim
August 11th, 2009
10:37 am
“Given the intense debate” = Horsesh*t. Just because Failin’ Palin drags her kids out in public again & says something is so… doesn’t mean it is!
Sunny
August 11th, 2009
10:41 am
Where’s Saxby?? Why isn’t he having town hall meetings?
pd
August 11th, 2009
10:42 am
RGB, the quotations you have from the bill do not include any descrption of what “End of Life Counseling” entails. The APA has such a description, so I included it.
Right now you state that you would not want the Government to decide what medical proceedures should be given to your family, however, you currently let the Health Insurance Companies make those same decisions.
If you have inoperable brain cancer, but want an operation anyway, chances are that your insurance company will not pay for that operation.
HOWEVER, you still could find a doctor who would give you the procedure if you had the money on hand. I have not seen any evidence that option would be taken away.
Your stance seems to be that the Government will be more restrictive in what it deems are necessary procedures than private insurance companies do today. If you have some logic or evidence to provide that would back that claim up, I would like to read it.
Logically, it seems that the private for profit company would be less likely than the Public Not-for-profit authorities to pay for unconventional procedures.
BPJ
August 11th, 2009
10:51 am
Everyone of a certain age (say, 65) should have a conversation with their doctor about end-of-life issues, including a health care power of attorney and/or a living will. I think it’s a good thing if Medicare includes this among the doctor services it will cover. No one is proposing that such discussions be COMPULSORY. Just an option that Medicare (you know that “socialized medicine” for seniors?) ought to offer as part of its coverage.
By the way, Medicare and Medicaid costs are growing at a SLOWER RATE than overall health care costs. So the next time someone who’s been brainwashed by FoxNews says we “can’t afford” a public option as part of the mix (which is what we have for seniors: medicare provides a floor; those who can afford it purchase more), ask them how we can afford the current system, in which costs are rising faster with private insurance.
Finally, all this argument about the House bill is beside the point; whatever emerges from the Senate Finance Committee will be the basis for whatever passes. For the last 2 months, and for the rest of August in all likelihood, 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans have been working to develop a bipartisan bill. That bill, not the House one, is the one likely to pass. So much for the notion of a partisan “legislative cram down process”.
Of course, you could instead believe Bill O’Reilly, who actually said “of course they have greater longevity in Canada; we have more people in the US, therefore more accidents….. (BTW, no one, I repeat, NO ONE in Congress has proposed or is proposing the Canadian system for this country.)
RGB
August 11th, 2009
10:53 am
Obama was asked by American citizen Jane Sturm whether his health care plan (actually Obama doesn’t have a plan. He’s hawking the House plan–which he admittedly hasn’t read) would approve pacemaker implantation in a woman such as Ms. Sturm’s mother. Her mother was 100 years old when she received the pacemaker and is now 105.
The President’s answer: “… we just make have to tell your grandmother … to take a pill.”
Take Obama’s word for it:
http://moneyrunner.blogspot.com/2009/08/taking-pain-pill-and-dying-in-obamas.html
Democrats embrace a European-style culture of death. They are smart enough (if you want to use that descriptor) to cloak their true intentions and are satisfied with an incremental approach to having the government take over everything.
Denying a woman a pacemaker is tantamount to euthanasia–especially when the woman elects to purchase the surgery herself or chooses to buy a plan that covers the surgery.
Under ObamaCare, the woman wouldn’t get the surgery through the government and would not be allowed to purchase the surgery herself.
Euthanasia by another name is still euthanasia.
pd
August 11th, 2009
10:54 am
BPJ, I would contend that ALL people have living wills and make decisions regarding Long Term Care and End Of Life. Had Terry Shiavo taken the time to create a living will, we could have avoided the circus that surrounded her death.
pd
August 11th, 2009
11:01 am
“Denying a woman a pacemaker is tantamount to euthanasia–especially when the woman elects to purchase the surgery herself or chooses to buy a plan that covers the surgery.
Under ObamaCare, the woman wouldn’t get the surgery through the government and would not be allowed to purchase the surgery hers
”
I have not read that people would not be allowed to purchase surgery with their own money. I would definetely be opposed to that provision if it exists.
RGB
August 11th, 2009
11:02 am
The cost of Medicare and Medicaid are NOT growing more slowly than the overall cost of health care.
Via Investors Business Daily 6/19/2009:
“The results are clear: Since 1970 — even without the prescription drug benefit — Medicare’s costs have risen 34% more, per patient, than the combined costs of all health care in America apart from Medicare and Medicaid, the vast majority of which is purchased through the private sector.
Since 1970, the per-patient costs of all health care apart from Medicare and Medicaid have risen from $364 to $7,119, while Medicare’s per-patient costs have risen from $368 to $9,634. Medicare’s costs have risen $2,511 more per patient.”
“The New York Times and others have quoted studies claiming that private insurance has failed to contain costs as well as Medicare. Such studies are deeply misleading, for they omit any consideration of out-of-pocket spending, thereby neglecting a major shift in the private health care market.”
Now that you know the truth, will it change your opinion? Or will you just line up like a lemming behind all the other people who are willingly walking off the cliff?
When people slam Fox News, Bill O’Reilly, etc. but offer no evidence to support the point they are struggling to make, they discredit themselves because they haven’t done their home work.
pd
August 11th, 2009
11:04 am
BTW, In Jane Sturn’s mother’s case, it took three doctors to petition the private insurance company to approve the surgery. Her question was not as direct as to “would your plan have covered it”. it had more to do with “are their exceptions”. I believe she used the words, “Is a person’s spirit and attitude taken into consideration”.
BPJ
August 11th, 2009
11:05 am
RGB, the draft legislation says what a consultation shall include; it does not say that anyone is required to have one (or, for that matter, that a doctor is required to offer one). It is the INDIVIDUAL’S CHOICE whether to have such counseling.
pd
August 11th, 2009
11:08 am
“Now that you know the truth, will it change your opinion? Or will you just line up like a lemming behind all the other people who are willingly walking off the cliff?”
The fact is, that I have not formed an opinion regarding this particular bill because I do not believe that we have had a responsible conversation about it to date. So far, it seems that people on both sides are blindly supporting or opposing. I would like to see a comparison of the plan to other country’s plans. I would like to see polling in those countries about what they like, and what they do not like. I would like our decisions to be based on logic and not bias.
pd
August 11th, 2009
11:17 am
Smart business managers use the technique of “benchmarking”. That is that they identify companies that set the standard for specific activities and then emulate those companies. Walmart, for example, set the standard for inventory control systems. Other retailers, then emulated their system.
I believe that is the method that we should use to improve our country in several areas. For example, South Korea, Denmark, and Japan, ALL have consistently ranked among the very top in educational systems for their youth. We should take a look at their system, see what makes it work, tear our system completely down, then build a system built on their models.
The same thing for healthcare. Who sets the standard when it comes to availability of care for all people? Thats who we should emulate.
Keith
August 11th, 2009
11:52 am
How ironic that Con. David Scott on Monday states his concerns that racism is behind opposition to ObamaCare and Nancy Pelosi claims protesters are wearing swastikas (false)… then suddenly on TUesday a blck swastika is found painted on the wall of one of Scott’s offices. 99% chance one of Scott’s union thug supporters put it there so that the argument can be turned against racist nazi protesters instead of the media actually covering the nazi stuff inside the Obamacare bill.
Grumpy
August 11th, 2009
1:27 pm
I applaud Johnny Isakson for standing up and calling a spade a spade. The Sarah Palins, Ann Coulters, Sean “Vannitys” and the rest of that gaggle of right wing nut jobs, are beholden to the Insurance companies, large healthcare providers and others who want things to stay precisely the same. Why should they want to change something they’ve made fortunes on? So, they’re willing to stand up and get their weak little followers to rant and rave at public meetings on healthcare and putforth every conceivable lie and distortion to keep things as they are. I hope everyone of these nut jobs lose their employement (and hence their health insurance), and find themselves on the brink of financial ruin if they or a family member becomes seriously or terminally ill and can’t afford to pay for the care they need. It’s the only way these idiots are going to learn what it is their fighting to support — a system of healthcare that distributes its benefits primarily to those who have insurance because they or someone they live with has a job, and denies that same amount or quality of care to anyone who doesn’t have a job. Talk about “rationing of healthcare”? That’s exactly what’s happening today.
PAT FROM ELLENWOOD
August 11th, 2009
2:00 pm
Reading comprehension was taught in elementary school. It is obvious to me the people posting or spreading untruths, not only did not read the various bills–they can’t comprehend the truth so they run with the lie. I guess that’s why we are near the bottom in public education–Thank you Kathy Cox!
Terry from Coweta
August 11th, 2009
2:32 pm
Who pays for Westmoreland’s healthcare ? (WE DO) He is mising in action on this one, somnething he does very good. He’s off in Flordia recruiting another neo-con just what we need. Instead of holding a town meeting to discuss the need for a public option. At least David Scott and Hank Johnson had the balls to hold a meeting.
Trusslady
August 11th, 2009
4:37 pm
As recently as February I went into the hospital for minor surgery. Now I have had several surgeries over the last few years (cancer) and each and every time I am asked do I have an “Advance Directive”. This is a requirement of hospitals initiated by the first Bush president. Additionally, I am on a government insurance policy (retired military). Never have I been turned down for any treatment recommended by my doctor. Let me repeat that – NEVER! Yet I have family members whose insurance companies have turned down all kinds of treatments. I know of a coworked whose insurance company refused to pay for an overnight hospital stay after under going a double mastectomy.
You people are worried about the government – you should be worried about an insurance company’s bottom line health care.
How stupid are you people anyway?
Isakson Blasts Obama And US House For Misleading Public, Misrepresenting His Association With Health Care Bill — Peach Pundit
August 11th, 2009
5:18 pm
[...] Isakson offered an amendment during the Senate committee hearings in July to the Senate version that allowed an individual to offer end of life instructions in advance of a declining medical condition. This document is somewhat stronger than what is commonly referred to as a “living will” and in Georgia is known as a “durable power of attorney”. Further details of Isakson’s involvement were detailed in a Q&A piece by Jim Galloway. [...]
ZackPchuck
August 11th, 2009
5:40 pm
“You people are worried about the government – you should be worried about an insurance company’s bottom line health care.
How stupid are you people anyway?”
Stupid enough to vote for the crap & garbage that allegedly represents us, yet smart enough to know how evil they are. Insurance companies, just like banks and politicians are pure evil.
ghostwriter
August 11th, 2009
7:43 pm
Why don’t I remember this level of “protest” when the boy prince (with Saxby’s and Phil Gringrey’s support) passed his $768 billion socialist government prescription drug program in 2003?
Elle
August 11th, 2009
9:20 pm
People who object to others getting the health care they need to live a normal llife ARE PLAIN EVIL!
Mike Licht
August 12th, 2009
10:25 am
First appointment to Death Panel.
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/paula-abdul-named-to-obama-death-panel/
Jackie durkee
August 12th, 2009
11:54 am
I just wish we could debate heathcare without all the shouting and disrespect. We could “agree to disagree” without fighting.
I’m reading the heathcare bill (h.r.3200) and detailing what it actually says at http://www.FaithfulinPrayer.wordpress.com. Come join the journey.
What Pundits Are Saying » Blog Archive » Isakson Blasts Obama And US House For Misleading Public, Misrepresenting His Association With Health Care Bill
September 1st, 2009
5:45 am
[...] Isakson offered an amendment during the Senate committee hearings in July to the Senate version that allowed an individual to offer end of life instructions in advance of a declining medical condition. This document is somewhat stronger than what is commonly referred to as a “living will” and in Georgia is known as a “durable power of attorney”. Further details of Isakson’s involvement were detailed in a Q&A piece by Jim Galloway. [...]