If you have filled out the forms properly and have your signature witnessed by someone who you have not authorized to make decisions for you, those documents must be honored. The same information and advise that is called for is available in many places, but if you want your consultation with a paid professional, by Medicare, this bill would make that available. If you trust your Doctor, you should have no problem with asking them to explain procedures you don't fully understand. For instance, does everyone know the difference between feeding tubes and pic lines? Your doctor has taken an oath to prolong your life with all means available. If I am unfortunate enough to suffer Alzheimers like some members of my family, I don't want a pic line installed after I no longer have the ability to swallow food. Nor do I want to be pumped full of antibiotics to stave off any infections that might take me out, after I am no longer cognizant of my surroundings. My older brother's wife was, for all practical purposes a widow for nearly 10 years after he had lost all indication of who she was. He was healthy in all other aspects. Neither he nor his wife would have approved of prolonging his life another 10 years by means of artificial respiration or feeding. Had he not had a living will and she hadn't had durable power of attorney, the Doctor's oath would have encouraged prolonging death at all costs.

August 11, 3:24 PM - Political Buzz Examiner - Ryan Witt
Protesters opposing the health care reform bills.

Section 1233 of HR 3200, the health care reform bill, has become the most talked about provision of the legislation. As I have written before, contrary to what reform opponents are saying the section does not mandate euthanasia or end-of-life consultations. Instead, the section covers optional end-of-life consultations if people want to have them. So for instance, if an elderly person voluntarily wants to visit their doctor to make out a living will they can have such a visit covered under Medicare. Nowhere does Section 1233 force people to have such visits.

One of the little-known fact about section 1233 is that it was actually put in the health care reform bill by a Republican. Republican Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) actually sponsored the provision which was put in the bill. In an interview with the Washington Post Senator Isakson was befuddled that the provision was now being twisted to to read for euthanasia. In fact, Senator Isakson (a Republican remember) went as far as to call the "death panel" claim "nuts." Senator Isakson also correctly points out that all 50 states already allow for voluntary end-of-life consultations. The health care reform bill would simply cover such consultations. I would encourage anyone who wants to know more about the section to read the full interview of Isakson in the link above.

It is a sad commentary on life when we can't trust our professionals and political leaders to be honest and forthright. But, you know what? We have all been guilty, at one time or another, of not telling the 'whole truth and nothing but the truth'. As a kid, I certainly never offered any more explanation for some activities than I had to. I didn't outright lie, but I sometimes described intentions or actions in a way that suited my immediate welfare. I catch myself, even as a mature (in years at least) adult prevaricating the truth, just a little bit, to save embarrassment or incrimination. I learned a long time ago not to tell my wife that a dress she picked out was ugly or that a particular dish she had prepared wasn't fit to eat, based on my likes or dislikes.

I'd make a good politician, don't you think? HUHNH UHH Not on your life!!! I'll stick to being an old farmer and blogger!