On the recordMarch 8, 2011
I had the privilege this morning to participate in a fascinating in-depth discussion sponsored by the National Journal and The Regence Foundation, ``Living Well at the End of Life: A National Conversation.'' It was made possible by the Regents Group, an insurance company headquartered in my hometown, Portland, Oregon, and the deep commitment that its president and CEO, Mark Ganz, has to be able to make sure that families have the information, the tools they have necessary to make sure that they understand their treatment choices and that they are respected. This is an issue that goes far beyond the so-called ``end of life.'' This is key so that everybody knows their health care choices, they understand their choices, and they make their wishes known, their choice is honored and respected. It is a mistake as we have these conversations to confuse the high cost of end of life with concerns about health care reform. When people are seriously ill, they have high health care spending, and there is nothing wrong with that. That is a natural consequence of what happens when people need more hospitalization, more intense activity. But too often, the sickest and most vulnerable have negative experiences in our complex health care system, which creates unnecessary strains on both the patients and the caregivers, and it is a mistake to somehow confuse this with people who are seriously terminally ill.
