They were for "death panels" before they were against them

Does anyone remember the Terri Schiavo Debacle? It was the Florida case between a husband and his in-laws that made it into the Capitol Building and onto every TV channel. They were fighting about what to do with the poor woman in a vegetative state who could no longer speak for herself. Unfortunately she had not put in writing any definitive answers regarding what her wishes were in the event that she ended up like she did.

Someone obviously does remember because they wanted to make sure that Health Care Reform addressed the issue. This would be the now infamous section on page 424 of HR 3200 that according to some creates "death panels" or encourages suicide. It expands Medicare coverage to pay for folks to voluntarily have a conversation with their doctor about "advance directives."

Despite the fact that the creation of "death panels" has been thoroughly debunked, opponents of Health Care Reform continue to push this nonsense into the debate. Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich are front and center on this issue (having been backed up by Rush Limbaugh, Michael Steele, and Senator Grassley).

How inconvenient for both Palin and Gingrich to have Think Progress uncover them supporting these same consultations in the very recent past.

When then-Governor Palin endorsed "Healthcare Decisions Day" on April 16, 2008 she "urged public facilities to provide better information about advance directives, and made it clear that it is critical for seniors to be informed of such options."

In April of this year Mr. Gingrich praised a hospital in Wisconson for their use of "advance directives" as being extremely cost effective and more efficient. He even goes on to say that their "approach empowers patients and families to control and direct their care."

So why are they both now opposed to a section in proposed legislation that would encourage the very thing that they are both obviously in favor of?

Why is something that made so much sense to them now so scary and nefarious?

Someone should ask them.




Talking Points Memo now has a handy run down on the entire "death panel" meme.