Lost In The Lies About "Death Panels" Is Need For Clear, End-Of-Life Directives And Care

What's so outrageous about the fake chaff thrown into the health care reform debate by Sarah Palin and others who conjured up fears about "death panels" is it obstructs the great need for clarity and intention and follow-through to ease the suffering of terminally ill patients and their families.

My wife and I each went through some of this recently as our mothers died. In our cases, there were directives, along with nursing and hospice care providers- - so we were spared most of the uncertainties that could accompany loved ones' passings when end-of-life planning had not been done and implemented.

But that is not always the case, and any encouragement that can be provided prior to the onset of bad news and tough times is a Godsend.

Cluttering up those advantages with fake political claims, and scaring people away from the benefits, is just plain sick.