TabbyCat

I have not once said and never will say that folks ought not receive end-of-life counseling.

I gather the OP doesn't like Firefox! It works for me. I've never even seen the snowman. And oddly enough, my computer hasn't exploded.

You really do oversimplify, and in the same breath, call those with a differing opinion for reasons you clearly either fail to understand or wish to discredit "those who demagogue." Did you look up the word before you so freely flung it at people who might disagree for reasons as close to them as you feel yours are to you? You're just precious. Bless your heart.

Uhm. <------------------speechless

The "ELC" that was proposed to be paid for by Medicare was a conversation, or rather, multiple conversations, and not at all "holistic." YOU are the one who is operating under an umbrella of confusion. End of life CARE might be holistic. End of life CONVERSATIONS are like essays undergrads pay for other people to write so they can pass classes they otherwise would not pass. Simply, they both equate to money for words that mean nothing but gain for the people who form the sentences.

Why did I even open this thread?

The Navy is releiving him of his duty, I hear.

That works, too!

Also know how to Google and can find their own "headlines"! Amazing, isn't it?

I am so hopeful and so amazed by this. I hope it works as expected, and I hope they can test and clear it quickly. What an amazing thing it will be.

For the record, ES, if that criticism you flung above was aimed in any way at me...I stated that the thread had wandered far from its origins. In fact, when I made my comments? It had degraded into a debate about what the Bible authors meant. Complete with competing Bible quotes. So far from being a non-religious post, yes? And, the rest? If any number of other posters had originated a thread that devolved into that kind of tit-for-tat, it would have been shuffled off to the religious forum PRONTO. THAT was my point--it matters here who starts a thread where that thread ultimately gets shu

I think those costs only apply to schools becoming involved, and there is funding to assist with those costs for schools. I didn't see where it would cost for an individual to become involved, except that they ask you to make a $5, $10, or $15 contribution to help cover the expense of the background check the require for anyone who mentors. Did I miss some fine print somewhere?

Here's an interesting exercise: Do a pcom search on "evolution." Look at the first 15 or so results. Look where they are located, and look who posted them. Look who posted others, and where they are located. Makes a couple of things pretty clear: 1) Someone has a bit of an obsession with posting about this topic, and 2)Posts by OTHERS of this nature get moved to either the Political or Religious forum. So. Clear.

And some among us are both.

This topic sure has wandered off-course, hasn't it? And it sure does look like a religious discussion now, doesn't it?

I see you STILL didn't read the NYT link I provided you...really? You still didn't read it? Did I not choose a liberal enough source? It says, since you didn't bother to read it: "Under the new policy, outlined in a Medicare regulation, the government will pay doctors who advise patients on options for end-of-life care, which may include advance directives to forgo aggressive life-sustaining treatment." DOCTORS. Not counselors, not nurses, not hospice specialists. DOCTORS. And your point is...DOCTORS DON'T HAVE TIME to counsel people at the end of their life? And in the same br

Almost anyone can be a father. It takes someone special to be a Daddy. I wish them all well. A baby is something wonderful, and there is no reason I can see that they shouldn't have something wonderful. Welcome to the world, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John. I hope you have a life full of happiness and wonder.

True. And all at a separately billable charge to Medicare.

And from my link...you "volunteer" if the physician asks you "end-of-life" questions.

Where? Link? Medicare doesn't currently cover holistic care. And many more insurance companies don't cover it than do, I believe, though I don't have that as a fact.

Oh My God. Many insurance companies don't pay for "holistic" care. From the FAQs at the American Holistic Medical Association: "How do I get reimbursed by healthcare insurance when seeing a holistic doctor? Reimbursement will depend on what type of insurance plan you have. Most holistic physicians cannot practice under the HMO model; however many PPO or POS plans will reimburse some percentage of the doctor's fee. Be sure to check with your plan and with the doctor's office before your visit. Remember, the money you spend on a holistic physician's services can be thought of

No, there *should* be. But this new regulation ensures that it doesn't *have* to be. Did you read the link I gave you? All Medicare providers have to do is ask end-of-life type questions at annual wellness visits in order to qualify for reimbursement for "end-of-life" counseling. Not only does this NOT provide what one would expect to be the minimum; in fact, it pollutes the whole process of offering the elderly assistance with end-of-life decisions. Sheesh. Maybe you should brush up on Medicare abuse. Then come back and argue this.

Uhm. Seriously?

Nope, it's not. Under Medicare, it's the governments'. Never said it was mine, now did I?

You so funny, ZC!! NOT "political"? I agree that it is a GOOD thing for patients to consult with their trusted physicians about their desires concerning "end-of-life" care BEFORE they are in a crisis, or are suffering from the mental aging processes that might prevent them from understanding the questions, much less the answers. However, what I DON'T like about this is the ability for Medicare-reimbursed providers to bill for this, for each and every elderly patient they see, at each annual visit until the end of life. It is rife with potential for abuse and waste. Fr