By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Sarah Palin said it: The Obama administration's health care plan could create "death panels" that could kill Americans.

And people listened and acted, from the U.S. Senate to President Barack Obama.

So if you think the former Alaskan governor is irrelevant or doesn't know what she is talking about (and clearly on the death panel comment she didn't), it doesn't really matter.

This week, the Senate Finance Committee said it would not include advance care planning consultations in its health care bill. The panel clearly was scared off by Palin's contention and all the white-hot attention it had received, including from many angry and confused people.

From an Los Angeles Times news story:

In reality, the provision was designed to allow Medicare to pay doctors who counsel patients about planning for end-of-life decisions. The consultations would be voluntary and would provide information about living wills, health care proxies, pain medication and hospice.

The issue has received so much negative attention that the Senate is running from the idea, with the thought that the House will join in.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has had to react to Palin's comments as well.

It recently put up on its website answers to several different questions or myths about the health care plan.

Regarding the end-of-life consultations, the site said:

It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.

But on this one, clearly Palin wins.