So can anyone promise that the Terry S. case will affect her only?

[Kber]

I just completed a living will - basically I'd like my husband to pull the plug if I am either brain dead or in a state similar to Terry's.

They aren't going to stop him are they?

[Dookus]

1. No

in fact, it can't affect only Terri. That would be a Bill of Attainder, which is forbidden by the constitution.

[killbotfactory]

2. it's a culture of life now

Of course they'll intervene, but only if they think it will help them politically.

[Proud_Lefty]

3. What's their ultimate goal here?

I just finished listening to DeLay talk about how this human life deserves better than her husband would allow. I guess I haven't been paying enough attention lately, but DeLay caring about someone whose been on life support for 15 years is the biggest chock of shit. Everyone I know would prefer to have their spouse or loved ones pull the plug. What are they ultimately trying to accomplish in this case? There's something here that smells really rotten.

[killbotfactory]

7. They are trying to define life

Brain activity apparently has no influence on them. If your heart beats you're alive. If you can breathe you're alive. If they get their way, they could define abortion as murder.

[Proud_Lefty]

13. I just read Will Pitt's interpretation

on FYI. He pinpointed this one exactly. Look over here and fight our non-issue while we push major things through over there.

[sandnsea]

4. The hospital can

A baby was just removed from a breathing tube in Texas. The hospital made the decision over the wishes of the mother. I'm sure it could easily go the other way. Apparently only Tom Delay can make decisions about life and death in the US now.

[Eric J in MN]

5. If another relative challenges the living will, then he

may have to argue both in state AND federal court, if the Senate passes a bill the House passed last week.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050319/ap_on_go_co/brain_damaged_woman_congress_2

[monobrau]

6. From my mom:

I talked to my mom this morning, who has been involved in hospice care for many years. She said feeding tubes are removed every day; this is routine. This could have horrifying repercussions in the hospice community. These are people who care for the sick and dying and provide comfort to their families day in and day out, as opposed to a pack of opportunistic scumbags who see this a "great political issue".
Just when I thought we couldn't sink any lower, they manage to shock and disgust me in ways I never imagined.

[ultraist]

8. How long are they going to FORCE medical care on people?

How much medication, chemo treatments, radiation treatments, surgeries, feeding tubes, etc are they going to force people to have?

Enough is enough! Terri has not improved in FIFTEEN YEARS. Refusing medical treatment is our right as adults or the right of a legal guardian of an incapacitated adult who is in this severe condition.

The thought of the State having the right to force me to receive medical treatments is frightening.

[killbotfactory]

9. Or thought of the State using the body of my wife

for political purposes. Keeping her in a living dead state. Not being able to fully grieve and having these jackals slander me on national tv. If I was the husband I would be extremely angry right now.

[durablend]

10. It's all a huge wealth transfer...

To the medical and insurance communities.

Once you're dead, the money train STOPS and we know that repukes simply CANNOT have that.

[ultraist]

14. I'm starting to wonder if that's the real motive for prolonging life

If people were not able to refuse medical treatments, the medical industry would make a lot more money. Those last few years are usually the most costly, medically.

Elderly or terminal people will be forced to take treatments if they have their way.

[leesa]

11. Don't worry...they will soon be offing people left and right because

our health care system is on life support itself and we won't be able to afford to keep someone artificially alive for 15 years.

[ultraist]

15. geezz. is that going to be the cut off 15 years?

If you have a severe medical condition and have not improved after 15 years, the State will then allow you to refuse medical treatments?

The elderly must be cringing over this.

[mondo joe]

12. You might even find folks on DU challenging your living will.

Anything can be challenged.

And if Terri's choice of legal guardian can be challenged here, so can your living will.

"She was tricked into signing it" they'll say. Or "When she signed it she didn't know he'd eventually be involved with another woman."