Somebody at the tea party I attended said something very important: One of the great achievements of our society has been making old age more comfortable than it has ever been. Old people are healthier and happier, more able to enjoy grandchildren and other pursuits. This is under attack, however. An ailing relative of mine in his eighties was told the other day that he couldn’t have a physical: old folks aren’t supposed to undergo complete physicals, the doctor said. The doctor added he could get in all sorts of trouble if he did one. Is this where we are headed?