Analysis — Death panels, fact and fiction

By Wendell Potter

“Death panels” are back in the news and Congress is turning its attention to them once again. The problem is, lawmakers are looking in all t

Excerpts from this story referencing "Nataline":

"… a and Grigor Sarkisyan, who very possibly would be helping their daughter, Nataline, plan her 21st birthday about now had a corporate medical director not ref …"

"… had a corporate medical director not refused to pay for a liver transplant Nataline’s doctors believed would save her life.Nataline was diagnosed with leuke …"

"… y for a liver transplant Nataline’s doctors believed would save her life.Nataline was diagnosed with leukemia at 14. Initial treatments were successful and …"

"… ant. They asked for prior approval from her insurer, CIGNA, to pay for it. Nataline’s doctors said they believed she had at least a 65 percent chance of liv …"

ANALYSIS: Death panels real and imagined

By Wendell Potter

Congressmen like Phil Gingrey continue to scare foks with talk of death panels, while insurers make real life or death decisions

Excerpts from this story referencing "Nataline":

"… o attend the 21st birthday celebration of the Sarkisyans’ only daughter, Nataline, this coming Saturday, July 9, in Calabasas, Calif.Gingrey could consider …"

"… f corporate bureaucrats who work deep inside U.S. insurance companies.When Nataline was 14, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Initial treatments were successfu …"

"… plant would save her life. In mid-December 2007, they told the family that Nataline would likely have a 65 percent chance of living at least five years if she …"

"… tors scheduled the transplant as soon as a match became available.But when Nataline’s parents arrived at the hospital on the morning the transplant was to h …"