De-bunking the Death Panel

Today's theme for health care seems to be the idea that "death panels" (Thanks, Sarah Palin) exist within the House bill for health care reform. This very blog decried this myth (read: lie) as one of many fear-based rumors which dubious organizations have been spreading in order to stall, destabilize and block reform of this nation's health care system.

But as members of Congress return home for the summer recess, the emerging trend has been to hold town hall-style meetings in order to stop the false spread of this (and other) rumor(s). But not all members of Congress seem to have received the memo. Today, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has been captured on audio feed stating that there was cause to fear that the bill would "pull the plug on grandma." In truth, the measure in question would support the voluntary counseling of patients on how to create living wills and choosing a person to help make end-of-life decisions.

But most confusingly, the Republican leadership has seemingly adopted using the "death panel" as an approach to scare people into a blind mob. (Despite this, both iterations of the bill have co-sponsors who are Republicans.)

Luckily, President Obama has gone on the offensive by establishing a website which readers can view answers to questions such as "death panels" and get a straight-forward answer to some of the more outlandish statements coming from around the country. (We noted this site earlier, but here it is again.)

In addition to this new website, President Obama has issues 8 promises related to his health care reform initiative:

1: No discrimination for pre-existing conditions.

2: No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays.

3: No cost-sharing for preventive care.

4: No dropping of coverage for seriously ill.

5: No gender discrimination.

6: No annual or lifetime caps on coverage.

7: Extended coverage for young adults.

8: Guaranteed insurance renewal.

More complete information regarding these 8 promises can be found here.

As always, the DPNM urges all New Mexicans to engage their elected representatives in a manner which is appropriate and further urges them to reach out and express their opinions!