Abortion is not the only issue with Kathleen Sebelius

Abortion is not the only issue that raises concerns about Kathleen Sebelius becoming Secretary of Health and Human Services. Senator John Kyl has some reservations:

Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.), the same senator who questioned Sebelius on her abortion ties, issued a press release Monday saying that he would not support Sebelius' nomination because she supports initiatives that could lead to a rationing of healthcare, to the disadvantage of the elderly and disabled.

"She [Sebelius] left me with no assurance that HHS, federal health care programs, or any new entity - such as the Federal Coordinating Council - will not use comparative effectiveness research as a tool to deny care," said Kyl. "And this should be a matter of concern to all of us."

Kyl highlighted one particular project that Sebelius supports, which promotes cost effectiveness research as providing "accurate and objective information to guide future policies that support the allocation of health resources for the treatment of acute and chronic conditions."

"'Allocation of health resources' is a euphemism for denying care based on cost," said Kyl. "Yet, Governor Sebelius did not agree to pull this project."

These are the same concerns I have expressed about the Obama administration approach to health care. (See the sidebar link for more postings on health care.) It is immoral to deem some lives unworthy of care. It is not at all surprising that those who feel they can judge the worthiness of lives in the womb feel they can just as easily pass judgment on lives that are elderly, sick, or disabled.