Bush's Law
I don't have enough time to write much at moment, since I just got canned from my job today, but I wanted to post this section of the Advance Directives Act, which Bush signed as governor of Texas. The law allows physicians to remove a feeding tube from someone in the same position as Ms. Schiavo (of course, it includes considering the patient's inability to pay as a justification for removing it as well). Ummm...hypocisy anyone? Here is section 166.039 (emphasis added by me):"§ 166.039. PROCEDURE WHEN PERSON HAS NOT EXECUTED OR
ISSUED A DIRECTIVE AND IS INCOMPETENT OR INCAPABLE OF
COMMUNICATION. (a) If an adult qualified patient has not
executed or issued a directive and is incompetent or otherwise
mentally or physically incapable of communication, the attending
physician and the patient's legal guardian or an agent under a
medical power of attorney may make a treatment decision that may
include a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining
treatment from the patient.
(b) If the patient does not have a legal guardian or an agent
under a medical power of attorney, the attending physician and one
person, if available, from one of the following categories, in the
following priority, may make a treatment decision that may include
a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment:
(1) the patient's spouse;
(2) the patient's reasonably available adult children;
(3) the patient's parents; or
(4) the patient's nearest living relative.
Gee, that's funny. I don't see the federal government listed there anywhere. Curious...
(thanks to Buzzflash for the pointing this out)
posted by Skrambled Egghead Reborn @ 3:59 PM
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