Washington politicians propose to cut health care costs by denying care and squeezing hospitals and doctors. Zeke Emanuel, Rahm Emanuel's brother, and key architect of the Obama health plan, argues for the ‘just allocation of health resources’ (ie rationing) in a way that ensures future generations are of the best mental and physical health. To do so, Dr. Emanuel cites that health services should not be guaranteed to “individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens…” He continues, “An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia.”

Writing in The Lancet in January 2009, Dr. Emanuel describes the ‘complete lives system’ (CLS) he developed:

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. Treating 65-year-olds differently because of stereotypes or falsehoods would be ageist; treating them differently because they have already had more life-years is not.

CLS strives to save the most ‘life-years’ versus the most ‘lives’. Perhaps this explains why the strongest opposition to a Washington-run health system comes from voters 65 and older. June 22nd national survey from James Carville’s Democracy Corps finds 54% of seniors ‘oppose’ White House health plans, versus 14% who ‘strongly favor’.

Are these the values we want undergirding our health care system? Forward Dr. Emanuel’s comments to your friends, family and Senators. Visit Campfire Blog and share your comments. If you think insurance companies are heartless wait until the government starts making your health care decisions. You can sue an insurance company, what about Uncle Sam?

For America,

Foster (:>)*************