White House Strikes Death Panels

Conservatives opposed to medical death panels have something to celebrate. The White House is making an about-face on the issue, striking references to end-of-life planning as part of annual physical exams in a Medicare regulation that took effect Jan. 1, administration officials tell The New York Times.

The action represents a quick reversal after the backdoor insertion of the death panel idea sparked vociferous opposition from Republicans.

“While administration officials cited procedural reasons for changing the rule, it was clear that political concerns were also a factor,” The Times states.

“The renewed debate over advance care planning threatened to become a distraction to administration officials who were gearing up to defend the health law against attack by the new Republican majority in the House.”