COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Republican presidential hopeful Rick
Santorum appears to be backing a claim that the Obama
administration would block medical treatment for stroke patients
over age 70. Professional medical groups have called such
statements bogus.
      During a forum Friday in Columbia, Mo., prominent conservative
James Dobson cited an anonymous caller to a conservative radio show
in denouncing what he said was a policy that imposed a death panel.
      Dobson claimed that under the policy, for patients over 70,
advanced neurosurgical care was not generally indicated. That, he
said, would mean death for that person.
      Santorum seemed to go along with Dobson, arguing that
government-run health care would result in limits on care.
      The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the
Congress of Neurological Surgeons say no such regulation exists.
     

     
      (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)