Abstract

Did the 2009 “death panel” social media post by former U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin catalyze nation-wide discourse regarding end-of-life issues during evolving U.S. health reform? A summative content analysis of print media utilizing grounded theory compared print news items published before and after the post. High-circulation U.S. newspapers were queried using seven search terms. Analysis showed substantial increases in items concerning end-of-life issues in the 3 months following the post versus the prior 3 months. The New York Times had the largest increase (before: 12; after: 87) followed by New York Daily News (0; 21) and USA Today (4; 21). Top emerged themes were end-of-life issues used as a political “football”; concerns about healthcare cost; and public confusion about proposed reforms. The post likely assisted in catalyzing national discussion about end-of-life concerns. This is important for health care policy noting the impact of social media on public discourse; print news representation of critical health conversations; and omnipresent emotions behind end-of-life issues.