Considered musings and random commentary.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
 
Required Counselling...
The current topic about the Health Bill proposed by Obama and the Democrats concerns the "Advanced Planning Consultation." Basically, this means that when a person reaches 65 years of age, they will get "life planning" counselling. They would get "refreshers" every 5 years or so, possibly sooner depending upon their health. This would include many very strong proponents for the ‘‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009’’:

Ted Kennedy - 77
Nancy Polosi - 69
Robert Byrd - 92

Henry Reid - 70
Frank Lautenberg - 85
Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka (twins, evidently) - 84
Arlen Specter - 79
Dianne Feinstein - 77
Barbara Mikulski - 73
Jay Rockefeller - 72
Patrick Leahy - 69
Barbara Boxer - 68

Now, what kind of life counseling could you give someone 65 and older, tho', and how would it be different if their health was poor?
Do you think it would be

"Hey, you're doing great. I know that this is a bad time for you, but hang in
there, you'll get through it, and we'll get you the absolute best in health
care."
?
Or would it be

"Mr. X... good to see you, you're looking well. Let me see my file... Ah yes...
you're 65 this month, aren't you? Yup, you're looking pretty bad. Seen it. Lots of times. Old person's health starts to fail, medical care eats up more time, effort, and money. It's hard on the kids. You feel crappy all the time, and let me tell you, it don't get any better! Heck, in a day or two, you'll notice your bladder's stopped working. Or rather, you're ability to control it's stopped -- the bladder itself is chugging merrily along. Oh, then your bowel control goes. Geez, what do you old geezers eat, any how. Do you know how disgusting it is to clean that crap up? Dang, I'm glad I'm not you...

What? You feel "fine"? I see... classic denial. Maybe we should get you in to see a shrink. Yep, not ME buddy... I'd rather "off" myself than go through that. The indignity, the burden... no one wants to visit you then, 'cuz you're such a downer on everybody. They can't bear to look at you. Shucks.

But this is about you... how long have you been going through this? You don't 'feel' bad? That's strange, because it says here, you're 65. That's a long time, hunh? Well, it could be worse... give it a month, maybe two. Have you ever been bed-bound before? Man, when those bowels of yours let loose... you could lie there in it for DAYS! Don't worry tho', 'cuz we cover these rubber sheets. It will keep the mattress dry for weeks -- at least until someone comes to change you.

Oh, did that sound bad? Well, don't worry, because at that point, your mind will start playing tricks on you... you could lie in your own crap for days and it would only seem like 3 minutes. Of course, if you lie in it for 3 minutes, but it would seem like it was days. Well, don't worry, because at that point, you mind will start playing tricks on you...

Well, listen, I wouldn't worry about it... you're a valuable member of society, blah-blah-blah... Did I say "blah-blah-blah?" I'm sorry, I meant to say "etcetera, etcetera...".

OK, Times up for you... No, I mean, I have other old geez-... er, other "clients" to see. Old folks can be such a pain in the ass sometimes. NO, not you. Specifically. I meant in general. Always whining on-and-on about their health... real downers. Sometimes I'd wish they'll all just die, they're such a burden. You'd think they'd be satisfied -- they've lived a long life, they should give someone else a chance... free up resouces. Think of it like recycling. But no, they're all selfish old coots.

Anyway, back to you... you're looking pretty down. Listen, I can get you a prescription for some anti-depressants."

Now, I know that these politicians mean well... Well, they mean SOMETHING, but I wish that they would test the stuff they're planning to put into law...

For instance, Teddy Kennedy -- he's be an excellent one to test the "life counseling" on... he would have been "counseled" at least twice, once when he turned 65, then at 70. He would probably have been counseled a couple more times since his last "health episode". Let's only hope that he will do the right thing. It's patriotic, you know...



Powered by Blogger