AP, GOP Senator Debunk 'Death Panels' (Called 'Nuts' by GOPer)

[mikiturner]

GOP Senator Johnny Isakson:

How did this become a question of euthanasia?

I have no idea. I understand -- and you have to check this out -- I just had a phone call where someone said Sarah Palin's web site had talked about the House bill having death panels on it where people would be euthanized. How someone could take an end of life directive or a living will as that is nuts. You're putting the authority in the individual rather than the government. I don't know how that got so mixed up.

You're saying that this is not a question of government. It's for individuals.

It empowers you to be able to make decisions at a difficult time rather than having the government making them for you.

The policy here as I understand it is that Medicare would cover a counseling session with your doctor on end-of-life options.

Correct. And it's a voluntary deal.

Isakson was the initial author of the bill. And now, the AP:

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.

[Orsino]

1. Better link.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/08/is_the_government_going_to_eut.html

Isakson seemed to be trying to correct misinformation, but did it so incoherently that the important point is lost. He's trying to frame it as an honest mistake rather than as deliberate lies.

[Jennicut]

2. So how soon until Isakson is taken before Rush and pushed around?

At least he is trying to take responsibility but too little too late. This is almost hilarious in that Rethugs are using what a Rethug did to try and blame Obama. Almost.