Chattanooga Republican Zach Wamp dodged the question Monday when asked whether the plan to overhaul health care would set up “death panels.”
The Congressman and candidate for governor spoke to a meeting of Nashville’s Downtown Rotary Club. During a question and answer session, club member Lady Bird confronted Wamp about claims made by other Republicans. Bird said that as she understands it, the bill allows seniors to consult with their doctors about setting up a living will. She expressed frustration that the provision is being described as creating “death panels” to cut off treatment.
Bird: “This is frightening elderly people, there’s nothing fair about that, and I want to know if you would refute that today and say there is no such thing as death panels in the health care legislation that is out there currently.”
Wamp: “Page 425, section 1233, quote: makes end of life care consultations eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Endquote. That’s the language in the bill. You choose to decide what that means. As soon as that’s out of the legislation, this will no longer be talked about.”
A Wamp spokesperson later confirmed that he does not want the provision to remain in the measure.
Throughout the month-long Congressional recess, voters have expressed strong opinions about the health care proposals. In light of that, Wamp says that when the legislature goes back to work next week, he thinks Democrats will be forced to –quote- “somewhat start over.”
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