Life, Death, Old Age and Healthcare; Will Our Government Decide Who Stays and Who Goes?

The new Republican budget calls for a halt to medicare as we see it. It would appear to be a way to gain control of our countries deficit. It would call for everyone under the age of 55 getting an insurance voucher when they retire. Everyone now 55 and older would be covered by the existing Medicare program. The exact details are yet to be worked out. This article takes a look at life, death, old age and healthcare.

At what point do we just consider dollars and sense? My mother is about to have knee replacement surgery at the age of 86. Under her present medicare plan, everything is covered including her up to 20 days of rehab at a care facility. Before deciding to do this, she asked her doctor, "Is this worth it at my age?" His remark was, "Why are you planning on going someplace?"

Is there a point in our lives that we reach when it is too costly to have anything done? I have always been under the impression of two things. (1) Each one of us controls our own destiny. (2) The quality of life and the quantity of it help us make this decision.

Now it appears that a bigger factor might come into play. Who can afford it? If your 56 years old and you have a government voucher, what will that pay for? I imagine the voucher will have a ceiling on it. My question is this. You are very poor and can't afford to purchase health insurance. Your health insurance voucher will only cover so much. Do you still have the right to get the treatment you must have or if you can't pay is it tough luck.?

There is no doubt that healthcare costs will continue to rise. Even for the wealthy of us, is it logical to spend lots of money to prolong life? Where will the line be drawn? I hate abortion. However, because out country is aging, this is quickly becoming a major issue as well.

What was that line Scrooge said in Dickens classic? Oh Yea, " If they'd rather die, then they had better do it and decrease the surplus population." Is the bottom line a surplus population? I am beginning to wonder, if the people we elected are thinking in those terms?

Years ago, I remember seeing a movie called "Soylent Green" with Charlton Heston in it. It was based on a science fiction book called, "Make Room, Make Room." It dealt with over population and poverty. The government provided a clinic for assisted suicide. We aren't that far along yet or are we?

If we can't afford healthcare/medical care, what is our next step?

After Thought
I like Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan. He has a good future in front of him. I applaud him for looking for ways to cut waste and save for our future, with the Ryan Republican budget. At least, he isn't afraid to look for alternative ways and force the issue. Maybe the health insurance vouchers will cover all expenses, when we really need it. Then again, do pigs really fly?

As I approach my middle 60"s, I wonder where healthcare is headed. Will I be able to make my own healtcare decisions or will they be made for me?