It’s pure myth: There’s no ‘death panel’ in health care legislation

Why don’t they just be up front and honest with the American people instead of doing every thing behind closed doors, or is it that if they were up front it would show that they did not know what they were doing, so they lie thinking that Americans are stupid, and don’t know any better.
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By Trish Choate :  Friday, August 14

WASHINGTON — The “death panel” rumor about health care reform lives stubbornly on in spite of debunking from sources ranging from AARP to a Republican senator who pushed for Medicare coverage of end-of-life counseling.

Lawmakers are still fielding questions from constituents deeply concerned that House proposals would set up death panels to decide if the disabled or elderly are worthy of health care — or if they should be shuttled off for euthanasia.

No ‘death panel’ in health care bill

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer – Tue Aug 11

WASHINGTON – Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin says the health care overhaul bill would set up a “death panel.” Federal bureaucrats would play God, ruling on whether ailing seniors are worth enough to society to deserve life-sustaining medical care. Palin and other critics are wrong.

Nothing in the legislation would carry out such a bleak vision. The provision that has caused the uproar would instead authorize Medicare to pay doctors for counseling patients about end-of-life care, if the patient wishes. Here are some questions and answers on the controversy:

Q: Does the health care legislation bill promote “mercy killing,” or euthanasia?

A: No.

Q: Then what’s all the fuss about?

GOP backs away from end-of-life counseling

By BEN EVANS, Associated Press Writer – Fri Aug 14

WASHINGTON – Until last week, Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson was among the most enthusiastic backers of end-of-life counseling in government health care programs like Medicare.

That was before conservatives called it a step toward euthanasia and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin likened the idea to a bureaucratic “death panel” that would decide whether sick people get to live. And even though those claims have been widely discredited, the issue remains a political weapon in the increasingly bitter health care debate.

Now, Isakson and other Republicans who eagerly backed the idea are distancing themselves from it or lying low in the face of a backlash from the right.