What's the deal with that 1999 bill Gov. Bush signed allowing hospitals

[Jesus Saves]

to yank life support even if they family disapproved if they thought the life suppor was 'nonbeneficial.' It has also been alleged that this has been used most often on patients who can't pay, or are having trouble paying. In fact, recently a baby was taken off life support this way.

Where are the right wing culture warriors on this issue?

If this is true, man oh man, the right wing is one massive fraud.

Edit: Here's a blog link with some info.

http://www.markarkleiman.com/archives/_/2005/03/schiavo_hudson_and_nikolouzos.php

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. I'd Like To See Anybody Defend That One...

That's heartless...

[TrustingDog]

2. pure evil gas is what has been running america for some time now...

but bush has put the pedal to the metal. There will be many more very unpleasant awful surprises coming.

[salin]

3. It is true. Doubt we will hear much about it on the news as they cover

Bush signing this bill.

[davsand]

4. In black and white: It is financially driven.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3073295

March 8, 2005, 12:33AM

Hospitals can end life support
Decision hinges on patient's ability to pay, prognosis
By LEIGH HOPPER
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

A patient's inability to pay for medical care combined with a prognosis that renders further care futile are two reasons a hospital might suggest cutting off life support, the chief medical officer at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital said Monday.


Dr. David Pate's comments came as the family of Spiro Nikolouzos fights to keep St. Luke's from turning off the ventilator and artificial feedings keeping the 68-year-old grandfather alive.

St. Luke's notified Jannette Nikolouzos in a March 1 letter that it would withdraw life-sustaining care of her husband of 34 years in 10 days, which would be Friday. Mario Caba-llero, the attorney representing the family, said he is seeking a two-week extension, at minimum, to give the man more time to improve and to give his family more time to find an alternative facility...

I am guilty of spamming this article all over DU. EVERYBODY has got to realize that this case in Florida is tragic, but also a media thing controlled by the GOP. They are hypocrites.


Laura