Talk about a death panel!

Here's some info on the fact sheet for a government health care program.

Let's see if you can guess where it comes from and which political party approved this.

This was a letter sent to people who are enrolled in a government-sponsored health program based on need and eligibility

"Why am I getting this letter?"

"The way you get your health care services is changing. Starting June 1, only certain hospitals will give
you services."

"What does this change mean for me?

• Services you are currently getting may not be covered.
• You may need to go to a different doctor or clinic.
• Services by this group of doctors is limited and there may not be one in your county.
• If you do not choose a group the government has required, your coverage is limited to prescription drugs.

You may have to pay for other medical services including the doctor visit to get a prescription."





So, in essence, you won't get to choose your own doctor

Some services might no longer be covered.

There may not be a approved doctor in your county, so you'll have to travel.

And if you don't like the government's choice of doctors, you're out of luck.

I point this out only because these were almost identical to the fears raised with the national health care reform put out by Democrats last year.

I've always believed when the so called "death panel" talk came out as Congress was debating the health care reform bill, that it was pure and unmitigated B.S. from the start. We won't go into that here.

But what most people don't realize is that there are instances happening at state and federal level that will restrict what doctor you can see and de facto put government and insurance companies in control of your medical care.

Like the example above: They are the actual rules for the General Assistance Medical Care program approved by Republicans and Democrats in Minnesota. To be fair, Democrats had proposed a program that would cover more and cost more. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed that in lieu of the a program that cost less and covered less.

However you see the issue, clearly, when government pays your medical bill, they're going to have something to say about the care, which doctors you see.

This should be a reality check for all of us.