Death Panels

Summary:

Instead of addressing real tough issues, let’s throw a
fake. Death panels are a low blow fake, even for a moose hunter. But get real.
Granny isn’t getting unplugged, but she should be responsible to address these
issues while she can, but most don’t. Here’s a reality check – checklist on the
non-existent death panels.

√ Rumors that bureaucrats will pull the plug on sick
and elderly. It’s just static to avoid dealing with real issues. But are you
dealing with the real issues?

√ 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 life
decisions and treatment. 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.

√ Few people take the time to understand what end of
life decisions are really about. Jane Brody in her recent book Guide to the
Great Beyond (a must read) 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. One of the studies she cites found that
those receiving aggressive end of life intervention survived 33 days while those
receiving hospice instead survived 31 days. While any such studies are subject
to wide interpretation and variation, and so much depends on the facts of the
specific patient, there are some really important lessons and questions. Many
religions view it as inappropriate to “pull the plug” on someone, even if in a
vegetative state. If your wishes whether for religious or philosophical reasons
are not to be removed from a ventilator or to have mechanical feeding cease,
even if you are in a persistent vegetative state, make these wishes clearly
known. They should be respected, health care reform or not. However, broad
generalizations are dangerously inappropriate. If you face days of invasive
medical procedures and what might be at most statistically insignificant longer
life, or you can spend statistically about the same time in hospice, with the
warmth of family, the guidance of your spiritual adviser, etc., even for
someone with a strict fundamental faith what is preferable? Too often the
decision is reduced to black and white inaccuracies, just like the death panel
hyperbole. Consultations with appropriate advisers (medical, religious or
other) is the only way to make informed decisions. Everyone should endeavor to
address known issues and likely scenarios in advance. If the unforeseen occurs,
that is why you should have a signed health proxy or medical directive
appointing someone to undertake this analysis on your behalf.

√  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, or they
pursue what they believe to be religiously correct regardless of your religious
beliefs. Think what you want, but the incidences of family members
intentionally not disclosing living wills seems tragically significant.

√ Almost no families hold the recommended meeting
with their advisers to discuss what often are widely divergent religious issues
of their children (or other loved ones) and the impact on end of life decision
making. While unpleasant and difficult, it will always prove easier to deal
with then the explosions that too often occur when a parent or other family
member is near death.

√ 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 the media is focused on. Personal responsibility is at the heart of this
issue and health care reform generally. Every adult should prepare the appropriate
documents, make their wishes known, and make the effort to understand the
personal, life, religious and other implications.