Congressman Smith:
I ran across an interesting suggestion on Ezra Klein’s blog today. Here’s the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/what-if-medicare-required-a-living-will/2011/04/13/AFk8qZsE_blog.html
In short, the idea is that to be eligible for Medicare, you would have to give someone power-of-attorney and sign a living will. You could tell your attorney-in-fact, and write in your living will, that you want every possible measure employed to keep you alive. You could say cost is no object, and neither is pain or quality of life. Or, you could instruct your attorney-in-fact not to prolong your life by extraordinary measures if you lost consciousness in a long, fatal illness or simply old age. You could make whatever choice, and offer whatever instructions, you want. You just have to do it. You have to make the decision.
Klein suggests that the simple act of making that choice would cut costs, as many people would prefer something besides maximal treatment, and would ensure fewer people suffered needlessly because their health deteriorated before they made their wishes clear.
Congressman Smith, as you may be aware, many economists say Medicare costs are a major part of the federal deficit. For example: "If you look past the next eight to 10 years, Medicare is the deficit problem," says Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former head of the Congressional Budget Office. "And there's simply no way we can address our fiscal problems without coming to terms with Medicare's future." (http://www.npr.org/2010/12/01/131701211/medicare-key-to-conquering-deficit-dilemma)
So, are you for or against Ezra Klein’s idea to make it mandatory to designate a power-of-attorney and sign a living will to be eligible for Medicare benefits? Please clearly state whether you are FOR or AGAINST this proposal, and then you can explain your position all you want. Thank you in advance for your straight forward response. Which I will post on my blog.
Regards,
Luridtransom