September 8, 2009 11:23 PM

Palin on the Bureaucratization of Health Care

By
Gina Pace
Topics
Health Care
(CBS)
In an op-ed published Tuesday evening by the Wall Street Journal, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin argued that President Barack Obama's health care plan would allow unelected bureaucrats to "make decisions affecting life or death health-care matters."

Last month, Palin created controversy when she said that the Democrats' health plan included "death panels," a claim which has been widely debunked in the media.

In Tuesday's op-ed, Palin pointed to an interview that Mr. Obama conducted with the New York Times in April that mentioned a group working outside of "normal political channels" to give guidance about patients dealing with end-of-life issues.

"Is it any wonder that many of the sick and elderly are concerned that the Democrats' proposals will ultimately lead to rationing of their health care by—dare I say it—death panels? Establishment voices dismissed that phrase, but it rang true for many Americans," Palin wrote. "Working through 'normal political channels,' they made themselves heard, and as a result Congress will likely reject a wrong-headed proposal to authorize end-of-life counseling in this cost-cutting context."

Palin also questioned the economic feasibility of increased government involvement in health care, arguing it would add billions to the deficit and affect the wages of "everyday Americans."

Instead, Palin advocated for "market-oriented" and "patient-centered" solutions, such as giving all individuals tax benefits received by those who get medical coverage through their employers, reforming tort law, and allowing people to buy insurance across state lines.

"Rather than another top-down government plan, let's give Americans control over their own health care," Palin wrote.

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by palinesqe October 3, 2009 9:57 AM EDT
Does that make you feel safe you pathetic insecure child. Does it make you feel warm that a fringe few think you "cool", like Matt Damon will somehow hang out with you now. Did you get your ass kicked in high school, or were you not accepted. Do you so desperately want to be "in"?. The thing about ingrates like yourself who think they have formed an original thought about Sarah Palin, haven't. You all say the same thing based on an interview you haven't seen. What books do you read? Really; that's nice, but guess what 'WHO GIVES A **** WHAT BOOKS YOU READ YOU IDIOT?" What is the "Obama Doctrine?" Please, Please, Please, keep showing your intellect by bashing Sarah. Because the more you do that the less she has to do. So sad I hope someone hugs you one day to make it all better, and you don't have to see Mean, mean Sarah Palin. She' looks like Napoleon compared to the wimp you just put in office.
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by camre105 September 13, 2009 5:00 PM EDT
That's a scary thought!
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by camre105 September 13, 2009 11:50 AM EDT
The fine people of Alaska can be thankful that Palin is no longer their Governor. How can she be any kind of leader when she makes up her own stories and believes her own lies. She came on the national scene with a few one-liners and a few snappy remarks. After that she sounded like a confused beauty queen. The scary thing is that many people thought she would make a good President. With that kind of thinking I truly am worried what the future holds for our country. With Charles Manson as her running mate, I think they would have a chance at the White House in 2012.

Health Care Reform is way past overdue in this country. Anything that is going to work is going to cost! Yes, there will be more taxes. The money will have to come from somewhere. If we don't do something now, many will suffer greatly! We need to also look into the future. If we do nothing, what will this cost our children and our grandchildren. President Obama made some good points in his address to Congress and to the American public. It's a shame that a few (Republicans) decided to be closed minded with one member shouting "YOU LIE". We, as Americans should be united in this effort to make sure that our citizens are all treated equally when it comes to health care.
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by cordwainer60 September 11, 2009 5:47 AM EDT
In commenting here on Ms. Palin's point of view, I'm reminded of a remark made by cartoon character Dilbert to his dinner partner: "Since when did ignorance become a point of view?

It is vital to provide counseling to patients of any age who have a potentially life-threatening illness, or declining quality of life, because so many have likewise lost hope. They are overwhelmed and consequently incapable of finding help by themselves. They and their families are often broke and exhausted. They are unaware of programs and agencies that can help them with additional or better medical care, alternate living arrangements, legal help, financial assistance, etc.

Ms. Palin seems to have no grasp of the harm she is doing by trying to define desperately needed and essential counseling as "death panels." Patients who are facing death or prolonged illness have the right to know what options are available in planning their future, so they will NOT suffer needlessly, so they will NOT be forced into a living or care situation they despise or one that will hasten their demise, so they will NOT be financially burdened more than is necessary...so if they do die, they can exercise their option to die without pain or fear or loneliness, in the presence of those they love, free of tubes and noise and codes and encumbrances.

As for those patients who are not going to die, but who will have to deal with diminishing health: they may more often be elderly, but today's 70-year-olds are just as likely to be planning for their next 20 years, and retirement is no longer a given. They have every right to enjoy their lives to the fullest, and this includes setting financial goals to support their chosen lifestyle and maintain their health without bankrupting themselves. They have the right to discuss their fears and hopes, and to be reassured that help is available, that they will be treated with respect and dignity, that no one will take away their rights, and that agencies and advocates exist who can protect them, make sure their decisions are implemented and their wishes respected. That's also why 20-year-olds go to financial counselors, why 30-somethings consult lawyers and make wills, why the 40-ish draft Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care, and in their 50s make certain their Do Not Resuscitate orders are legally solid and copied to anyone who might need them in an emergency.

We spend our lives planning in advance for a future that may surprise us, knowing not all surprises are pleasant. Why, then, this blatant attempt by the Palinites to oppose advance planning advice for those who are older? There is a tinge of insult in Palin's statements, as if she believes all senior citizens are senile, unable to tell counsel from coercion, to make an informed decision with regard to their finances and health. This subtle condescension is nothing new, the insidious notion that the elderly, like children, need to be swaddled, diapered, spoken to in one-syllable words, and prevented from making the "wrong" decision (usually defined as a decision that would spend too much of what the heirs already consider their money).

As a result, rather than speaking on their behalf, those who scream "death panels!" seem to be discriminating against the very senior citizens they claim to defend.

It's a mystery why this far into the Internet age politicians, like car salesmen, remain part of the minority that believes the public depends solely on them for information, that their constituents or customers will somehow be blind to the text of Section 1233 or the actual recommended MSRP, readily available on thousands of web pages. In other words, it has never been easier to compare assertions to facts, yet the babbling Palins seem to think they exert some hypnotic control over the public, that the Force is with them. "You do not see this resolution," they say. Well, um, yes. Yes, we do.

Palin and her ilk would be great comedy if they weren't driven by such obvious malice and spite, by a truly frightening belief that any means are justified in order to win the political power game. But I can't quite decide what the best term is for someone who plays games with people's lives.

Any suggestions?
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by sarrab-2009 September 10, 2009 3:51 AM EDT
You call Palin stupid, Obama could not repeat the oath of office in front of the world that was watching. This guy is a puppet for the left that love welfare and don't want to work and have the tax payers pay the bills for them, Palin is my choice, Obama must go.
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by sarrab-2009 September 10, 2009 3:24 AM EDT
the answer to question is YES
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by bassinapple September 9, 2009 6:15 PM EDT
With the elimination of section 1233, and the revelations from the book Your Life, Your Choices, she is vindicated. Sarah once again put her attackers in their place. She won the debate, and did it from Facebook.
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by dahizzle September 9, 2009 5:12 PM EDT
That woman has no business managing a McDonald's. I can't believe anyone can hear her speak and come away thinking she has even a lick of sense.
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by miamurphy September 9, 2009 1:49 PM EDT
Like her Bridge to nowhere, she was for it - before she was against it:

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/proclamations.php?id=1094

And now Sarah, quit makin' things up. You take the facts and mix them up, distort and leave out words to make quotes into lies.

I can quote you too, here is an example:
Let?s talk about specifics. In her op-ed, Sarah Palin stated ?I fundamentally disagree. Common sense tells us that the government's attempts to solve large problems ?. and ??.. a top-down, one-size-fits-all plan will?. improve the workings of a nationwide health-care system?..?
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by TominNY September 9, 2009 11:54 AM EDT
Can't anybody put 2 and 2 together here?

The half-wit Palin "writes" an Op-Ed in Rupert Murdoch's WSJ? Not likely.

This is simply another prong of the Republican's ploy to torpedo Obama. Watch for some Republican Congessman to start shouting at the joint session tonight ala "Town Hall Meeting" style.

Hopefully, the Public will see through this garbage, and the Republican's will suffer a severe backlash as a result.
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