NEWSMAX

Lead article entitled  “Obama Embraces ‘Death Panel’ Concept in Medicare Rule” goes on to say:  “During the stormy debate over his healthcare plan, President Barack Obama promised his program would not ‘pull the plug on grandma,’ and Congress dropped plans for death panels and ‘end of life’ counseling that would encourage aged patients from partaking in costly medical procedures.

“Opponents of Obama’s plan, including former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, dubbed such efforts as ‘death panels’ that would encourage euthanasia.”

Click here to read the full article.

WATCHDOG: This is sheer nonsense.  First of all, it is an estate tax, not a “death tax.” And it only affects estates of over $5 million per individual or $10 million per couple, and even then the maximum rate is 35%.   If your estate will reach that level, congratulations and conceivably you have a reason to grouse, although many very wealthy persons think this is only fair.

Concerning so called “death panels”  (how come the Conservatives always come up with misleading but effective terms?), the medical profession has always had to practice some level of triage.   For example, should a young person or a person over seventy receive the only available heart or liver transplant?  Should octogenarians who can get around fairly well receive knee replacements under Medicare?  Should an enfeebled, old person in a long coma continue to receive life support although the brain waves are flat?

The USA already spends 17% of its Gross National Product on health, at least half again and almost twice as much as the other advanced industrialized nations, all of which are rated above us for overall quality of care and most for longevity.  We are headed towards 20%!   There has got to be a limit to herculean treatment beyond a certain condition.