Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is still warning against the presence of “death panels” in the health care legislation. However, on close examination the definition of “death panels” has changed radically.
Bachmann appeared on Glenn Beck’s radio show, and told guest host Chris Baker: “Also, we’re just reading this morning, Chris, that Harry Reid slipped in a provision that made it virtually impossible to repeal part of this legislation. And it’s the part dealing with the Medicare Advisory Board — what many people have labeled the death panels — because these unelected bureaucracies will decide what we can and can’t get in future health insurance policy. That’s why they’re called death panels.”
Um, no, that’s not why they’re called death panels — or at least, not why they were originally called death panels. As Sarah Palin first laid out the idea when she coined the term, “death panels” refers to a group of government bureaucrats who would allegedly would stand in judgment of individuals’ worthiness of receiving health care. Specifically, they would kill Palin’s Down syndrome baby by cutting off his access to medical treatment. (Palin was in fact referencing a speech by Bachmann, who was referencing Betsy McCaughey, who was in turn taking Ezekiel Emanuel seriously out of context.)
But now, “death panel” refers to a government body that would regulate insurance policies and the range of treatments that would have mandated coverage. Talk about moving the goalposts!