The return of 'death panels'?
The Obama team is enacting government-funded end-of-life counseling, even after Congress dropped the provision from the health-care reform law. Cue the outrage
Sarah Palin memorably labeled an end-of-life counseling option in the Obama health care reform plan as "death panels," fueling an uproar that led Democrats to withdraw the measure. Now, the Obama administration is effectively enacting the same policy through a new Medicare rule that takes effect Jan. 1. Under the policy, Medicare will pay for doctors to advise patients on end-of-life care, including the option to forego aggressive treatments. Is this a sinister development?
Let's cut the lies this time: The only thing more "shameful" than the fact that "Sarah Palin was able to launch her celebrity career by misleading and terrifying millions of people" with the "death panel" lie is that the media helped her do it, says Kay at Balloon Juice. The advance medical directives soon to be covered under Medicare "aren't controversial" or even new, and they give patients "more autonomy and power," not less. Let's hope we're more rational this time around.
"Maybe this time someone will call her on it"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The "death panel" label is not a lie: Advance directives "sound helpful and reasonable," says Ann Althouse in her blog. But what seemed like enhanced "autonomy and control" when your government-paid doctor encouraged you to fill one out can be a death sentence when you're in the situation, dying of a "treatable" illness. And conveniently, the government saves money. "You may not like the label" Palin used to clarify the policy, but "death panels" aren't too far off the mark.
This signals Obama's new strategy: There's nothing wrong with the new Medicare policy itself, says Ed Morrissey in Hot Air. "These conversations need to take place before the pressures of acute circumstances come into play," and during annual "wellness" checkups seems a good time. The "disturbing" part is how Obama enacted it, after Congress ditched the policy in "ObamaCare." Watch out: This is just the "opening gambit" of Obama's approach for dealing with a GOP-empowered Congress.
"Surprise! End-of-life advisory incentives return — through regulation"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Where does it stop?'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why do Russian oil bosses keep dying?
Under the Radar There have been 'at least 50' mysterious deaths of energy company executives since Putin ordered Ukraine invasion
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The insides and outsides of Helsinki's energetic art scene
The Week Recommends Finland's capital has an admirable mix of street art and museums
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published