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Kansas City, MO – Several local health and faith-based leaders in support of overhauling the nation's health care system say the debate's been sidetracked by false information.
Myra Christopher, from the Center for Practical Bioethics, spoke at a news conference yesterday at Swope Health Services.
"I've been heart-broken," she said. "I've also been quite angry, frankly, at the lies and mischaracterizations of what is contained in the various legislative reform efforts."
Christopher has focused on advanced-care planning and other end-of-life issues for more than two decades.
She says she's worried voluntary counseling measures included in House legislation have been falsely portrayed as efforts to promote euthanasia and deny seniors care.
A new NBC Poll underscores her concerns.
It found that 45% of respondents incorrectly think that under the current health proposals, the government would likely decide when to stop care for the elderly.
Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
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