The law relied on is intent on granting the patient's wishes, okay? Nobody is ordering Terri to do something that she didn't want. Keep sight of that. It is an essential legal principle that is lost on 99% of the people who hear and write about this case.
Chapter 765, Florida Statutes 2004 <-- Link
See in particular, sections 765.401 The proxy. and 765.404 Persistent vegetative state. See also the definitions, in particular,
(10) "Life-prolonging procedure" means any medical procedure, treatment, or intervention, including artificially provided sustenance and hydration, which sustains, restores, or supplants a spontaneous vital function.
I'm 100% against this decision on several grounds, BTW. Just pointing out the legal machinations in case you are inclined to educate yourself.
I'm so inclined. It doesn't answer my precise question, but it looks like you've provided a link to where I can try and search for an answer. Thanks!
765.309 Mercy killing or euthanasia not authorized; suicide distinguished.--
(1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to condone, authorize, or approve mercy killing or euthanasia, or to permit any affirmative or deliberate act or omission to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying.
So much for following the law!
...
The individual committee members and the facility associated with an ethics committee shall not be held liable in any civil action related to the performance of any duties required in this subsection.
Here is the section that makes the hospice workers not liable for the killing of Terri.
Any idea what "spontaneous vital function" "artificially provided sustenance and hydration" "supplants"? I wonder if this bit of law will be changed due to Terri's killing, or probably better, the law regarding the decision to go ahead with the killing.