Swine Flu--Rationing of Health Care Is Here

Several students in our nearby high school seem to have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.  I say seemed since a few of the cases were not confirmed by the nasal swab test.  Whether the tests were confirmed or not isn't the point of the hub.

As Americans continue to battle over the form and function of health insurance and Obama Care, I was struck by an irony.  You many be aware the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) has come out strongly in favor of most of the provisions of Obama Care.  AARP, like our President, seems to believe older Americans are too old and feeble to understand such a complex subject.  They seem to feel they should take a stand, despite their membership's overwhelming rejection of the current plan.  (source; Rasmussen Reports)

Many news sources have suggested there will be about 160 million doses of the Swine Flu vaccine available in the United States.  Checking with the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 304 million people living in the United States.  Simple math indicates 144 million people will not get vaccines.

Now lets look at who the Department of Health and Human Services recommend for the vaccine.

1. Health Care Workers.  This is a no brainer.
   
2. Pregnant women.  Clearly an "at risk" group.
3. Children.  Understandable.  Bodies can't fight off some elements of this illness
4. Young Adults 18-29.
   

Huh?  Most 18-29 year olds are among the healthiest humans in our society.  What group is missing here?

I don't know that I would be so quick to notice that retired Americans are missing from the recommended list, except for the discussion earlier this year over Obama Care's "End Of Life" provisions.

If you followed that at all, the bill seemed to allow for rationing of health care away from older Americans.  It was exaggerated in some areas and publications as "Obama Death Squads" and kill the elderly. 

What the bill did have in it, allegedly since removed, was a provision requiring end of life counseling for those on Medicare every five years.  The original bill also included support for removal of hydration or artificial feeding for those at the end of their life.

These provisions understandably brought howls of screaming and denials from the administration as to their intent.

So if the administration wants to run health care, and they don't want older Americans who are more akin to getting swine flu than young adults to die, why are the elderly NOT IN THE RECOMMENDED GROUP TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE?

Its not direct rationing (no one is being refused the vaccine), but it certainly seems to be "social" rationing (using peer pressure to achieve an outcome)

I'm really interested in others comments.