I work at a hospital. Today I offered to serve on the hospital death panel when it is formed. My only stipulation is that I want a rubber stamp that says “DEATH” – self-inking so I can use it faster.
My boss seemed confused, so perhaps the panels will be formed at the city or county level and not at individual hospitals. Which I think is a mistake – local panels can deal death much more efficiently, especially with the candidates in the same building.
Why I picture the Death Panels as an olympic judge’s table?; some fellow is pushed in front of the table and the panelists rise cards with a score, whoever gets more than 5.0 is off to the Human Reprocessing plant.
Various conspiracy-minded people have been claiming that a provision in Pres. Obama’s suggested health care reforms - one that directs doctors to discuss end-of-life concerns (‘living will’ creation, questions about hospice care, etc.) with older/ill patients - really means that terminally ill or elderly patients will be sent before “death panels” and have their lives ended early so doctors and the government don’t have to bother with the sick folks, thus saving money.
I think of it more like Ancient Roman gladiator battles where Caesar would give a thumbs up or thumbs down to decide if the loser lives or dies. So in that case everyone on the panel should be wearing togas and be fed grapes by scantily clad nubile slaves. It would be much more classy … or classic.
By they way, the new bill does make a change in end of life consultations by those who are not presently in grave medical condition. (pun intended)
By the rules of medicare, and medicaid as they now stand, such a medical consultation is not covered, and cannot be billed. The new standard says if you want one, you can have the bill reimbursed, or paid. The bill does not require anyone to make plans for their deaths. It simply allows such medical consultations to be available under insurance.
That stamp would be no fun. It’s also confusing; it could be construed to mean that the patient has already suffered death, or that the condition is terminal even if treated.