Palin's 'death panels' smears end-of-life-care discussion

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One of the greatest services that doctors can provide for their patients is a frank discussion about end-of-life care issues.

A patient's right to dignity and self-determination is dependent on the knowledge that their wishes will be carried out once they are no longer capable of voicing them.

Unfortunately, in today's busy medical practices, these important topics often go un-addressed, and as a result many terminally ill patients end up needlessly subjected to uncomfortable, undignified and unproductive tests and treatments.

In this light, it is disappointing to hear former vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and company vilify end-of-life-care discussions as "death panels."

This politically motivated smear campaign will only discourage patients from addressing these important issues with their doctors, which in turn will ultimately and unfairly shift the burden of making these tough decisions onto patients' families and care providers when the end inevitably comes. What a shame this is.

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