Even the NY Times admits that rationing fears are "not entirely irrational"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/health/policy/21seniors.html?_r=2&hpw

White House officials and Democrats in Congress say the fears of older
Americans about possible rationing of health care are based on myths
and falsehoods. But Medicare beneficiaries and insurance counselors
say the concerns are not entirely irrational.

Bills now in Congress would squeeze savings out of Medicare, a
lifeline for the elderly, on the assumption that doctors and hospitals
can be more efficient.

President Obama has sold health care legislation to Congress and the
country as a way to slow the growth of federal health spending, no
less than as a way to regulate the insurance market and cover the
uninsured.

Mr. Obama has also said Medicare and private insurers could improve
care and save money by following advice from a new federal panel of
medical experts on "what treatments work best."

The zeal for cutting health costs, combined with proposals to compare
the effectiveness of various treatments and to counsel seniors on
end-of-life care, may explain why some people think the legislation is
about rationing, which could affect access to the most expensive
services in the final months of life.

"I don't think we will get the quality of health care with this plan
that we get now," said James T. Aronis, 79, of Wichita, Kan. . . .