Health Care Reform and Rationing

Lurking in the intense debate over health care reform is the issue of rationing which will impact all of us. Bluntly put, there is no question that a new Obama “Health Czar,” whether an individual or a committee, will decide which coverage is mandated (read: abortion), and which health care will be denied.

Burke Balch of National Right to Life refers to “comparative effectiveness” research methodologies which could be used as a basis to deny benefits to patients who want treatments, based on “their age, expected length of life, or of the patient’s present or predicted disability or quality of life.”

Senator Michael Enzi (R-Wyoming) offered an amendment to a health care bill in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Monday to prevent use of “comparative effectiveness” research to deny benefits to patients. It was defeated on a party-line vote.

A sobering prospect, and one to fear.

Barbara Lyons