Obama: I am not in favor of ‘death panels’

President Barack Obama on Tuesday refuted a “rumor” that he favors so-called “death panels” that “will basically pull the plug on grandma.”

There’s a misinterpretation that “somehow the House of Representatives voted for death panels that will basically pull the plug on grandma because we decided that it’s too expensive” to keep her alive, Obama said.

“Somehow it’s gotten spun into this idea of death panels. I am not in favor of that,” he added.

Obama made the remarks in response to a question from a young girl at a town hall meeting he held in Portsmouth, N.H.

“I saw a lot of signs outside saying mean things about health reform,” she said.

The president explained that the measure originated in the House and was designed to provide Medicare reimbursements for seniors who hold end-of-life consultations with doctors.