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Every system does. They're not called "death panels" but that's the function. There's a reason why a 97 year old with terminal cancer isn't going to receive a

Every system does. They're not called "death panels" but that's the function. There's a reason why a 97 year old with terminal cancer isn't going to receive a liver transplant ahead of a 12 year old with no other health issues. Under the ACA, we have the "Independent Payment Advisory Board". They decide which treatments will and won't be covered. Private insurance has the equivalent. Most insurance companies don't cover "Experimental" treatments. I'm unfamiliar with the details of the systems in Europe but they all have to have a body with a similar function. No system could survive with a policy of paying all of the money you want for every treatment you can find.

alistairSH 9y ago
Every system does. They're not called "death panels" but that's the function. True. As noted, in our current system, it's just the insurance companies making the call instead of a bureaucrat. And it's usually done at a general level, not individually (except for rare, expensive, edge cases). But, politicians in the US who oppose change would have us believe death panels are going to single out Grandma as not worthy of care. Lots of fear-mongering about this.
- LordKano 9y ago
  >True. As noted, in our current system, it's just the insurance companies making the call instead of a bureaucrat. And it's usually done at a general level, not individually (except for rare, expensive, edge cases). If a private entity sets their criteria for treatment in a way that people don't like, it's possible to switch to a different insurer. When the government does, people are just stuck.
candiodari 9y ago
The Netherlands has such a system. There is generous cover for every way you might end your life and for every other treatment there is a general rule that they'll pay $X for every year of expected "quality life" that you'll get out of the treatment. This means that dialysis (very very basic treatment, but if you need it, you'll die without) ends somewhere in your 70s. For instance if you have a compromised liver. When they stop it, you will die in a matter of months at best, in some cases painfully. What I don't get is why there isn't more noise about this in the Netherlands. After all, this system is so generic that you can of course make the argument that something like 30% or so of people will be confronted with a "no" that will end their life.
- LordKano 9y ago
  Thank you, that's a great example. I'm sure that they don't call it a "dood paneel" but in effect, it's a death panel.

alistairSH 9y ago

Every system does. They're not called "death panels" but that's the function. True. As noted, in our current system, it's just the insurance companies making the call instead of a bureaucrat. And it's usually done at a general level, not individually (except for rare, expensive, edge cases). But, politicians in the US who oppose change would have us believe death panels are going to single out Grandma as not worthy of care. Lots of fear-mongering about this.

LordKano 9y ago
>True. As noted, in our current system, it's just the insurance companies making the call instead of a bureaucrat. And it's usually done at a general level, not individually (except for rare, expensive, edge cases). If a private entity sets their criteria for treatment in a way that people don't like, it's possible to switch to a different insurer. When the government does, people are just stuck.

candiodari 9y ago

The Netherlands has such a system. There is generous cover for every way you might end your life and for every other treatment there is a general rule that they'll pay $X for every year of expected "quality life" that you'll get out of the treatment. This means that dialysis (very very basic treatment, but if you need it, you'll die without) ends somewhere in your 70s. For instance if you have a compromised liver. When they stop it, you will die in a matter of months at best, in some cases painfully. What I don't get is why there isn't more noise about this in the Netherlands. After all, this system is so generic that you can of course make the argument that something like 30% or so of people will be confronted with a "no" that will end their life.

LordKano 9y ago
Thank you, that's a great example. I'm sure that they don't call it a "dood paneel" but in effect, it's a death panel.