Death Panels - both Real and Imagined
I was just wondering, since Sarah Palin brought up the imaginary "Death Panel" that is not in the legislation and that exactly nobody has proposed -- does this mean that we get to talk about the real ones that the Insurance Companies have, as a key element of our current healthcare situation? It seems like something that should be being discussed, and I've heard that phrase repeated on TV a number of times now, but it's always about the imaginary one. Are the talking heads ever going to talk about the real ones, or are they not allowed to because it would be "bad for the parent" companies that own them?
I for one, would certainly like to hear more discussion about "death panels" --
and whether or not they are appropriate in our healthcare system.
Yep, let's talk: here's a repeat from Rowan's recent blog:
Let's discuss "death panels" and rationing:
Exhibit A: The Texas Advance Directives Act, also referred to as the Texas Futile Care Law, was passed in 1999 under the auspices of then governor George W. Bush.
Someone should point out (an ad perhaps) the above directive.
1.) Ask R's what they mean when they use the word "rationing". I attempted to argue this recently at a town hall, replacing the word "rationing" with "prioritizing" (i.e. bullet to the head receives treatment before hangnail - triage as it were - as is conducted in ERs everywhere).
2.) Many Republicans have never heard the term "rescission". It should be repeated ad nauseam. This is how insurance companies ration care: by purging the sick from the rolls. They no longer make a secret of it and have no intention of discontinuing the practice: see Bill Moyers PBS interview with Wendell Potter - there is a clip of the congressional hearing during which the heads of insurance companies plainly stated that they would not discontinue the practice of rescission (this clip would make a great ad).
Exhibit B: The "kill granny" provision in HR3200 was introduced by a Republican (another great ad):
"And as it turns out, the cause of advance planning has been championed especially strongly by a pro-life Republican -- U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia." who played a significant role in crafting this portion of the bill."
http://www.southernstudies.org/2009/08/death-panel-architect-a-pro-life-republican-from-georgia.html
The Senator's intentions were nothing less than honorable. The provision simply refers to end of life planning, which covers hospice care, living wills and power of attorney. It allows terminally ill patients and the elderly to make their wishes for care clear.
*This is likely something for another post rather than a comment.
August 11, 2009 3:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
comment appreciated, just the same ;)
August 11, 2009 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
On last night's Daily Show, Samantha Bee argued that you just can't trust the gov't to run the Death Panels efficiently. The private, for-profit insurance industry has proven that they can run the Death Panels more effectively than Big Government. John Oliver countered that in a democracy all citizens should have equal access to Death Panels.
Now, who would be willing to go on Beck or O'Reilly and discuss this issue?
August 11, 2009 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink