The Republican National Committee launched this new television ad highlighting its Seniors' Bill of Rights -- protections the GOP insists be part of any health care reform:
THE SENIORS' BILL OF RIGHTS
- No Cuts to Medicare to Pay for a New Program
- House Dems' Bill Will Cut More Than $500 Billion From Medicare Over 10 Years. "The House bill --the congressional proposal that has advanced the most -- would reduce projected increases in Medicare payments to providers by more than $500 billion over 10 years, a gross cut of about 7 percent over the period. But the legislation would also plow nearly $300 billion back into the program, mainly to sweeten payments to doctors. That still leaves a net cut of more than $200 billion, which would be used to offset new federal subsidies for workers and their families now lacking health insurance." (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, "Seniors Uneasy Over Medicare Cuts In Overhaul," The Associated Press, 7/30/09)
- Obama Wants To Use Money From This Cut To Pay For Health Care Reform. "In his weekly address, President Barack Obama announced new Medicare and Medicaid savings proposals that will contribute more than $300 billion over 10 years to paying for health care reform, beyond the historic $635 billion down payment included in his FY 2010 Budget." (White House, "Weekly Address," Press Release, 6/13/09)
- Make it Illegal to Ration Health Care Based on Age
- Pages 501-524, Section 1401 Creates "Comparative Effectiveness Research Commission" To Look At "Outcomes, Effectiveness And Appropriateness Of Health Care Services And Procedures." (H.R. 3200, “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act,” Introduced 7/14/09)
- Which Could Lead To Rationing Medical Care Based On Age. "The complete lives system discriminates against older people … Unlike allocation by sex or race, allocation by age is not invidious discrimination; every person lives through different life stages rather than being a single age. Even if 25-year-olds receive priority over 65-year-olds, everyone who is 65 years now was previously 25 years." (Govind Persad, Alan Wertheimer, Ezekiel J Emanuel, "Principles For Allocation Of Scarce Medical Interventions," Lancet 2009; 373: 423–31, 1/31/09)
- Prevent any Government Role in End-Of-Life Care
- Pages 424-430; Section 1233 Discusses Government Involvement In "Advanced Care Planning Consultation." (H.R. 3200, "America’s Affordable Health Choices Act," Introduced 7/14/09)
- Which Could Lead To Government Participating In End-Of-Life Care Discussions. "Section 1233: Advance Care Planning Consultation means a consultation between the individual and a practitioner … regarding advance care planning, if … the individual involved has not had such a consultation within the last 5 years. Such consultation shall include the following: An explanation by the practitioner of advance care planning, including key questions and considerations, important steps, and suggested people to talk to … The level of treatment indicated may range from an indication for full treatment to an indication to limit some or all or specified interventions." (H.R. 3200, "America’s Affordable Health Choices Act," Introduced 7/14/09)
- Stop Bureaucrats from Getting Between Seniors and Their Doctors
- Pages 501-524, Section 1401 Creates "Comparative Effectiveness Research Commission" To Look At "Outcomes, Effectiveness And Appropriateness Of Health Care Services And Procedures." (H.R. 3200, “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act,” Introduced 7/14/09)
- Democrat Plan For "Comparative Effectiveness Research" Could Lead To Government Boards Deciding What Treatments Would Or Wouldn’t Be Funded. "Skeptics, however, say Obama’s decision to invest heavily in such research will lead to European-style rationing in which patients are denied lifesaving therapies to save money. It also has alarmed some drug companies and medical device manufacturers, which fear that a system of winners and losers is bound to reduce their bottom lines." (Ceci Connolly, "Comparison Shopping For Medicine," The Washington Post, 3/17/09)
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