Fox furthers 'death panel' hysteria with 'death book' claim

[Joanne98]

Instead of discussing the weeks' news, Chris Wallace devoted the first segment of "Fox News Sunday" to trying to prove President Barack Obama's administration was encouraging veterans to choose to die.

"We're going to do something different here today. Usually we discuss the news, but today we're going to tell you about something you may never have heard about, what critics are calling the 'death book,' a 52-page pamphlet the Department of Veterans Affairs is using right now in end-of-life counseling for the nation's 24 million veterans," explained Wallace.

Wallace talked to Jim Towey, the Bush administrations' Director of White House Faith Based Initiatives. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Towey claimed an end-of-life planning document in use by the Veterans Administration was steering veterans to "predetermined conclusions."

Huffington Post debunked the Towey claims Saturday.

They failed to mention that the so-called "death book" contains the same advance-care planning required of all health care organizations under federal law, has been in use since 1997 and was developed with the input of interfaith ministers.

But Towey could benefit financially if the Veteran's Administration drops the current material "Your life, Your choices" used for end-of-life consultations. Towey sells his own materials that compete with documentation currently in use.

Wallace pointed out Towey's financial stake. "You have written an end-of-life document yourself called "Five Wishes," which is widely used around the country. In the course of this controversy the last couple of days, V.A. officials are suggesting you want the government to buy and use your book," said Wallace.

"They can if they want. Millions of Americans do. But that's not what this is about," answered Towey.

(Nicole:) As Richard Smith at Vet Voice says,

After reading this, its apparent that Jim Towey is nothing more than a Sarah Palin wannabe. Except not as smart.

Here is my suggestion to Mr. Towey: When Veterans want advice on their care from someone who has never served in the military, nor received care from the Veterans' Health Administration, we'll call you
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/fox-furthers-death-panel-hysteria-death-book

[no_hypocrisy]

1. With all these misnomers equating with end-of-life planning with euthanasia

maybe I should start referring to myself as a death lawyer instead of estate planning attorney.

[tj2001]

2. Yep. Exact same book used by GWB to kill veterans

[madrchsod]

3. these people are pure evil

they know they are lying and they know they are making people afraid.