No, Bill Gates hasn't called for 'death panels' to euthanise people

Soofia Tariq January 20, 2025
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Mr Gates is a frequent target of misinformation. Image by Annette Riedl/AP PHOTO

WHAT WAS CLAIMED

Bill Gates has called for “death panels” to decide on euthanising citizens not worthy of healthcare.

OUR VERDICT

False. Mr Gates has not called for the introduction of “death panels”.

AAP FACTCHECK - Bill Gates has not called for panels of bureaucrats to decide who is worthy of healthcare and who should be euthanised by the state, despite claims repeated by an Australian Christian lobby group.

The claim is based on a news article from a website known for spreading false news and conspiracy theories.

The claim was posted on the Facebook page of FamilyVoice Australia, a Christian advocacy body.

"Bill Gates Calls for 'Death Panels' to Euthanize Citizens Not 'Worthy of Healthcare'," the post reads.

It continues: "The Microsoft co-founder argues that it is not cost-effective to provide individuals with long-term healthcare. Instead, Gates believes his fellow human beings should be euthanized to reduce healthcare costs…"

The Facebook post spreading the false claim.
The false claim uses comments made by Mr Gates in 2010. (Facebook/AAP)

FamilyVoice Australia then provides a link to a story on a site called Slay News, which is a frequent subject of fact checks. 

Newsguard, an organisation which rates the reliability and trustworthiness of news websites, has awarded Slay News a rating of 0/100 and has urged internet users to "proceed with maximum caution".

The article, published January 8 2025, states Mr Gates spoke in favour of death panels at a 2010 appearance at the Aspen Institute Ideas Festival in Colorado.

It claims the tech billionaire said a panel of bureaucrats should decide whether a person deserves to receive treatment, and that those who are not "worthy of healthcare" should be euthanised by the government to save money.

AAP FactCheck asked FamilyVoice Australia for evidence to support the claim. 

In response, the group sent a link to an article that also made reference to the same 2010 event, which was written by David Icke who has been fact checked by numerous outlets.

Generic hospital bed.
Mr Gates does not call for 'death panels' to be introduced. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

During the hour-long festival appearance, Mr Gates discussed various topics including education and the environment.

From the 31-minute mark he answers a question regarding the proportion of US GDP that goes towards healthcare, during which he makes a reference to "death panels".

In suggesting high medical costs are having an impact on education funding, he adds: "That's a trade-off society is making because of very, very high medical costs and a lack of willingness to say, you know, is spending a million dollars on that last three months of life for that patient, would it be better not to lay off those 10 teachers, and to make that trade-off in medical cost.

"But that's called 'the death panel' and you're not supposed to have that discussion."

This is the only reference to death panels and Mr Gates does not call for them to be introduced.