Death Panel Hyperbole — How to Really Protect Yourself

Death Panels and Living Wills

Hyperbole Versus Fact

1.     Rumors that bureaucrats will pull the plug on sick and elderly. It’s just static to avoid dealing with real issues.

2.     Only 29% of people have signed living wills!! Folks are kicking up a ruckus about non-existent death panels when they haven’t taken the most basic step to address what they can control about their end of your life. Be responsible. Sign appropriate documents: a living will to make your wishes known; a health proxy authorizing someone as your agent to make those decisions.

3.     Few people take the time to understand end of life decisions. Jane Brody in her recent book notes that there no significant survival benefit for pursuing aggressive medical options over hospice! Hospice can provide a more dignified and peaceful death, chance to address religious and spiritual issues and save a fortune in cost.

4.     Of the meager 29% who have living wills too often the family disregards a parent’s end of life wishes and don’t disclose the documents. Instead, out of guilt they often opt for aggressive end of life treatments the parent didn’t want.

5.     In the over 4,000+ living wills and health proxies we’ve done we’ve had ONE (1) family hold the recommended meeting with us and family to discuss the widely divergent religious issues of their children and the impact on end of life decision making. One!

6.     Bottom line: People are creating a frenzy over a non-existent threat, when they have the power to address the real underlying issue, few bother too, and of those that do, even fewer understand the implications or act to honor the decisions ultimately made. There is an issue here, but not what people are focused on. Personal responsibility is at the heart of this issue and health care reform generally. Every adult should prepare the appropriate documents, make them known, and make the effort to understand the personal, life, religious and other implications.