I'm not sure how the "Deather" story has become a story, but it's a great opportunity to disabuse us some right wing wackos. It became obvious to me at lunch today that no one knows where the "death panels" comes from, so I took upon myself to find out and I think I figured it out. It turns out that on Page 425 of the House's Plan, Section 1233, there is a new benefit under Medicare, I repeat benefit, that provides for an "Advanced Care Planning Consultation" that will be paid for by Medicare.
It's a benefit that allows someone on Medicare to have a paid consultation with a medical professional to discuss end of life issues, because as Kasey Chambers says "WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE SOMEDAY, LORD, WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE SOMEDAY". It's what grownups do, you know, confront problems head on with honesty, which might be an unfamiliar concept to many who supported the last Administration.
Somehow, the dopier of our country have "read" the Section and believe it creates death panels to kill grandmas. Well, I've been reading for 45 years and English is my mother tongue, and I don't see it. I'd suggest you read the section, make copies of it, and distribute it to the dopey ones, although you might have to read it to them.
Here is the link - it will take a while to come up:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/...