Experts Debunk Health Bill's 'Death Panel' Rule

[sabra]

Source: ABC News

Doctors Agree Health Bill Has No 'Death Panel' Requirement for the Elderly
Aug. 11, 2009—

Accusations that the health care reform bill now pending in the House of Representatives would use "death panels" to deny care to sick seniors and children with birth defects have taken center stage in the health care debate, giving the Obama administration even more of an uphill climb in getting the measures enacted into law.

But health care experts  even those who do not support the version of the health care reform bill now being discussed  note that these accusations are shocking, inflammatory and incorrect.

....

That led to shouts of "This is euthanasia!" from angry citizens at health care town halls all across the nation hosted by members of the House or Representatives. One person said, "Adolf Hitler called his program the 'Final Solution.' What will we call ours?

...

Even a longtime supporter of Republican approaches to health care backed the provision in the bill. Gail Wilensky, who headed the Health Care Financing Administration and chaired the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission during President George Bush's administration in the early 90s, said:

"There are plenty of things not to like about 'Obama-care,'" she said. "This is not one of them."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/story?id=8295708&page=1

[denverbill]

1. Debating the 20%'ers is pointless. They don't want to debate and are incapable of reasoning.

Frankly, the Democrats should scrap this shit and just go single-payer. Screw the insurance companies for trying to kill this with made up bullshit.

[Zenlitened]

2. And yet... score a win for the right-wing meme-injection apparatus.

Their ability to shape -- and distort -- the public dialog is incredible.

And from what I saw and heard of Pres. Obama's town hall meeting today, he still isn't playing at the top of his game. Long, rambling answers... his point buried under a flurry of explanations, qualifiers and unfinished thoughts.... the same tired talking points.

He needs to get back into Candidate Obama mode for this, mindful that -- at this point in the game -- his task is to defeat an opponent that will say ANYTHING, do anything, to drag him/healthcare down into ruin.

I'd love to hear him call a lie a "lie" for once. Or even call nonsense by its name. Short, sharp and to the point: "This 'death panel' talk is NONSENSE. You know it, I know it, we all know it."

America WANTS healthcare reform. Pres. Obama needs to REMIND 'em. Give them a little jolt, let them know they're getting punk'd by all this right-wing theatrics. Grab hold of the conversation and get it back on track, with plain talk and stark truths. I didn't hear much of that today. :(

[Zorra]

3. Is that a typo? I thought it was the "Death Palin" rule. n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

4. People who do not maintain Advance Directives are irresponsible

and in my opinion do not give a fuck about their families. But the Democrats all hem and haw about the whole thing. It is the only moral thing to do, state your will in advance of that time when you can not state your will. If your will is 'keep me going using all means' you just check that box.
The talking heads and elected officials make me furious the way the botch discussion of this issue. A properly completed set of Advance Directives is how those so inclined can make sure they get extreme life sustaining measures. By saying they want those measures, they secure them. Their next of kin might not agree.
To leave those Directives unaddressed is an act of callous disregard for your family.

[Boku-Wa]

5. Of course, because it was an intentional LIE. The purpose of this

lie was to spread more confusion and opposition among the very people who have the most to gain from expanding and stabilizing health care coverage.

Unfortunately, the administration's mantra is now "reducing costs", which is interpreted as cutting care. And this understandably makes sense to many people. (Especially with the Goebbels-like propaganda war the Repukes and their supporters are waging.)

I fear this administration - with all the neolibs and corporate DEMogogueS invited to the inner sanctum - has lost whatever soul it had.

The message should be GUARANTEE AFFORDABLE INSURANCE, EXPAND COVERAGE, and IMPROVE SERVICES.

NO DEALS WITH BIG PHARM!!!

[ScottLand]

6. I agree.

It's pointless to argue with people that believe in the Death Panels notion. Talk to them about reality TV and talk politics with someone else.