Health Care Bill

Since I've been taking it easy this past week, I've had time to do something that not many of our elected representatives have done. I've been reading the house bill on health care reform. There is a lot of mention of boards or committees. This is looking like the start of a huge bureaucracy, something we simply cannot afford.

I've been looking at the advance care planning consultation which should take place every five years, or more frequently if there is a change in the patient's health or a chronic condition develops. After such a consultation, it is required that there be an "order regarding life sustaining treatment" with respect to an individual, an actionable medical order relating to the treatment of that individual that is signed and dated by a physician or another health care professional. How would this affect a medical power of attorney or proxy that has been given to a trusted friend or family member. Would this be voided by the word of the physician? We need answers to this.

Unfortunately, we won't get the necessary answers because some representatives are cancelling their public meetings and instead making health care events "invitation only". That's a certain way to make sure all in attendance agree with you.

As a special comment to Nancy Pelosi, I offer this quote:

"I'm sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration, somehow you're not patriotic. We need to stand up and say we're Americans, and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration."

Thank you Hillary Clinton.