Cutting Through the Hoopla

Throughout this week, we've seen seniors turn out in force all over America at town hall meetings focused on health-care reform. Plenty of them look upset. Who can blame them? They've heard talk of 'death panels', rationing and similarly malignant rumors.

And they have a right to be anxious. If vital services are being twisted into sinister-sounding practices for political purposes, who wouldn't be concerned? But for many seniors, these services may be a great comfort and support mechanism.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is overwhelmingly the number one cause of death for Americans aged 65-74, claiming approximately 140,000 of us per year.

Seniors in the American cancer community are keeping an eye on the following as the debate continues:

1) Cancer pain is one of the most undertreated symptoms seniors face. Health care reform should provide appropriate access to pain management treatments and work to ensure that patients live pain free.

2) Health-care reform should support comparative effectiveness research that will allow doctor and patient to make informed decisions about treatment.

3) Seniors deserve coordinated care and in a setting most comfortable to them.

4) A revamped system should support survivorship care planning as a standard of medical practice. This is a critical quality of life issue to seniors.

5) Health-care reform should allow patients to be a part of their medical decision making. That absolutely must include end of life care.

While end-of-life issues are never easy, comfort and dignity are central issues of quality care and individual choice.

By Doug Ulman  |  August 15, 2009; 6:08 PM ET  | Category:  Health Care Reform
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