[Harmless Teddy Bear]

This was not a death panel. Helen could still get treatment, it was just going to cost more.

The Death Panels will be a la Canada where they would not only not treat the child they would not let anyone else treat him either.

I think similar things have happened in the UK. That is a death panel. They have decided you should die not that they will not treat you.

Not paying for your treatment is a valid option for the government or insurance company although it may be breach of contract. In the case of Medicare since the government forces you to be on it there might be a case to be made.

[Notary Sojac]

Helen Walker's kids were bitching because they were being asked to pay for her nursing home stay.

What they wanted was for the Government to pay for it so they wouldn't have to.

A lot of the people who rail about "death panels" don't seem to grasp this distinction.

It's a "death panel" only when you are told you can't have a particular treatment even if you pay for it yourself.

Failing to fund costly services on the taxpayer's dime is just good conservative budgeting.