At the Age Boom Academy two weeks ago, we discussed why aging boomers won't necessarily bankrupt the health care system, as predicted and feared.

One reason discussed? Boomers will be better at calling it quits when they know more medical treatment won't extend their lives or allow them a quality of life. They will be more open to hospice. This will save a great deal of money because a lot of expense goes into those last months of a person's life. The medical profession, some researchers said, will also change its practices.

It's happening right now. According to an Associated Press story we ran today, 9 medical societies "representing nearly 375,000 physicians are challenging the widely held perception that more health care is better, releasing lists today of tests and treatments their members should no longer automatically order."

The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommended not treating "tumors in end-stage cancer patients whose disease has failed to respond to multiple curative therapies, are ineligible for experimental treatments, are confined to a bed or chair more than half the day, and there is an absence of evidence supporting clinical value of further anti-cancer treatment."

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