End-of-life vs. End-of-Healthcare 

        Sec. 1233 of the bill, labeled "Advance Care Planning Consultation" provides that Medicare will require end-of-life counseling sessions every five years. 

        According to the bill, "such consultation shall include the following: An explanation by the practitioner of advance care planning, including key questions and considerations, important steps, and suggested people to talk to; an explanation by the practitioner of advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney, and their uses; an explanation by the practitioner of the role and responsibilities of a health care proxy."

        Since the goal of Obamacare is to cut the costs of medical treatment, let’s guess what they will be telling seniors about how to deal with their illnesses. But then let’s not be too cynical, or someone will make fun of us.

        Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith you have an advanced form of epis dorten. Unfortunately the facility that treats that condition is pretty busy already. The outcome in these cases is not good. Most of the people who undergo the painful and distressing treatment for epis dorten at your age do not survive. Quality of life is very important.

        We can give you this pill that will allow you to function almost normally (for a while). If you would like to be placed on the treatment list we can do that for you, but we won’t be able to give you the pain medication because it would prevent us from giving you the  epis dorten treatment plan.  Let me see, the next appointment will be the day after your 75^th birthday. I know that six months sounds like a long time to be in pain, but it’s the best we can do giving the limited facilities that are available.

        Do you have a living will? I happen to have one here you can sign. Sorry I couldn’t spend more time with you, the waiting room is full and some of them will not be able to be seen today if we don’t move this along. Have a nice day Mr. Jones, and you too Mrs. Smith.