Death Panels

The Senate has removed the provision for death panels.

I am diabetic, I see a doctor every 3 months. WHAT DOES THE PRESIDENT THINK HAPPENS when I see a doctor? My current primary care physician father was diabetic, he went through amputations. Mt doctor constantly urges me toward healthier lifestyles. He lectures me on dangers of being over weight, infections and possible amputations, eye deterioration kidneys etc.

He doesn't need a government mandate to do this. I now have seen a kidney specialist, he spoke to me in length about life style, limiting salt from my diet and other issues such as exercise. At their recommendations I bought an exercise machine and a WI Machine and a WI Fit program. This president is creating a bogus issue that doesn't exist, in my case, doctors council on preventative measures constantly. I am left wiyh deciding our president is mis informed or lying. Which do you think it is? WHAT DOES YOUR DOCTOR DO?

Reporting from Washington - A Senate panel has decided to scrap the part of its healthcare bill that in recent days has given rise to fears of government "death panels," with one lawmaker suggesting the proposal was just too confusing.

The Senate Finance Committee is taking the idea of advance care planning consultations with doctors off the table as it works to craft its version of healthcare legislation, a Democratic committee aide said Thursday.

Sen. Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, ranking Republican on the committee, said the panel dropped the idea because it could be "misinterpreted or implemented incorrectly."

For Democrats, the decision was an apparent acknowledgment that the provision had become a lightning rod for critics of a proposed overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system. Democratic lawmakers and President Obama are trying to extend health insurance to more people, rein in health costs and make other changes.

Recently, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speculated that Obama and other Democrats wanted to set up "death panels" to decide who gets medical services and who does not.

In reality, the provision was designed to allow Medicare to pay doctors who counsel patients about planning for end-of-life decisions. The consultations would be voluntary and would provide information about living wills, healthcare proxies, pain medication and hospice.