Regarding Mr. Agathen's letter, Monday, taking Mr. McClellan's column, "The Best of Care but at What Cost," and furthering it by discussing entitlement health care for all, of "every medical treatment potentially available." Mentioned is the fact that "... medical care in the last six months of life is astronomical." "We are past the point in this country where every person is entitled to every possible treatment available." He mentions that such entitlement is cost prohibitive. Mr. Agathen is precisely correct. Where he goes astray from correct understanding is that he says "bleeding-heart conservatives" have a problem with medical rationing and yell "Death Panels" when medical rationing is brought up for discussion. On this he is still correct but is losing the point. The conservative understands that when the government is paying the entire bill, the government, (appointed doctors, accountants & bureaucrats) will decide who gets what procedures and the bills that will be paid, FOR EVERYONE. The conservative believes & understands medical treatment options & decisions should be made by the individual, their doctor and their chosen medical insurance provider. That's the medical insurer and doctor the individual has personally chosen for themselves & their family based on their perceived needs and their financial capability. If the person needing the treatment, or their parent or family, cannot or does not choose to afford the medical care, they don't get it. NO ONE in the government; Dooley's, Nixon's OR Obama's, has any business or interest in the medical decision(s) made.

 

John Peters

Ballwin