First, Rep. Luetkemeyer states "The end-of-life provisions could result in government-paid consultations encouraging assisted suicide or other forms of euthanasia."

The facts are: They do not. This is a malicious myth. These provisions would provide financial reimbursement for voluntary private consultations with your own physician in regard to writing a living will, providing a medical power of attorney and making end-of-life decisions only if you are seeking this kind of advice. Many of us have already done this - it's called planning. This would actually empower individuals to make the best decisions for themselves and their families and better ensure that their wishes will be followed. This provision also has the support of the AARP.

Another misleading series of comments is "The majority's health care proposal is bad for seniors because it includes. . . . cuts . . . " (These cuts) "could cause millions of seniors to lose their current coverage. The proposal also includes premium increases for Medicare part B and D."

As we all know, this is a very confusing issue, and I referred to the AARP Web site (the leading senior citizens advocate, www.aarp.org) in hopes of clarifying some issues. The following information is taken verbatim from its Web site:

Fact: None of the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress would cut Medicare benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare services.

Fact: Health care reform will lower prescription drug costs for people in the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole" so they can get/better afford the drugs they need.

Fact: Health care reform will protect seniors' access to their doctors and reduce the cost of preventive services so patients stay healthier.

Fact: Health care reform will reduce costly, preventable hospital readmissions, saving patients and Medicare money.

Fact: Rather than weaken Medicare, health care reform will strengthen the financial status of the Medicare program.

Bottom line: For people on Medicare, health care reform is about lowering prescription drug costs for people in the "doughnut hole," keeping the doctor of your choice, improving the quality of care, and eliminating billions in waste that is causing poor care and medical error.

The fact that there are several bills floating around in Congress, none of which have been voted on at this point in time, further complicates the issue and makes Rep. Luetkemeyer's comments somewhat speculative. There are several other points that need to be made in reference to Rep. Luetkemeyer's op-ed, but I wanted to keep this brief in hopes that you will publish it. I hope there are others out there who will also do some research on his comments and feel compelled to take issue with them.

Perhaps Rep. Luetkemeyer might be willing to do as Sen. McCaskill did in Hillsboro and have a town hall meeting in Franklin County to help clarify some of these issues.