Comment

ABC News vs. the Euthanasia Death Panels

648
jaunte8/15/2009 10:01:27 pm PDT

Robert Samuelson:

We should move toward coordinated care networks that take responsibility for their members’ medical needs in return for fixed annual payments (called “capitation”). One approach is through vouchers; Medicare recipients would receive a fixed amount and shop for networks with the lowest cost and highest quality. Alternatively, government could shift its reimbursement of hospitals and doctors to “capitation” payments. Limited dollars would, in theory, force improvements in efficiency and effective care.

We’re not having this debate. To engage it would require genuine presidential leadership, because, admittedly, these proposals would be hugely controversial. Medicare recipients — present and future — would feel threatened. Existing doctor-patient relationships might be disrupted. Spending limits would inspire fears of short-changed care. Hospitals, doctors and device manufacturers would object. Obama took a pass. He simply claims that his plan will do things it won’t. What he’s offering is an enlarged version of the status quo that, as he says, is already unsustainable.http://realclearpolitics.com