Michigan bill would ban medical decisions if adultery is involved

AP ^ | 3/22/2005 | Amy F. Bailey

[Crackingham]

A Michigan lawmaker is working on legislation that would prohibit a spouse having an affair from denying food, fluids or medical treatment to a wife or husband who cannot make such decisions.

Rep. Joel Sheltrown on Tuesday said he wants to avoid a situation similar to Terri Schiavo's.

snip

Sheltrown, a Democrat from West Branch, said Michigan should strengthen its protections before a similar situation happens here.

"While people, in happier times, may trust their spouses to make future medical decisions for them, situations change," Sheltrown said in a statement. "In a situation where an incapacitated patient lives at the mercy of an adulterous spouse, it is in the patient's interest to make a presumption in favor of life."

Michigan law already prohibits the denial of life-sustaining treatment, such as food and water, unless the patient has expressed that such action be taken, said Sheltrown, who expects to introduce the bill in about three weeks.

[RightWhale]

It's right there in that thicket.
Bluetick Coondog

[Bahbah]

We're also having it written that if the spouse moves on the gaurdianship goes to our respective families.

That sounds like a very sensible addition.

[Dog]

This is just flat out stupid.

[Neets]

Don't, it ain't pretty.

Predictable, but ugly.

[sodpoodle]

You can look - just don't touch;)

This might be the end of adultery as we know it.

sp

[Dog Gone]

Why stop at adultery? How about having an email girlfriend, or cheating on one's taxes? How about not going to church enough, or generally just being a punk?

Grandstanding.

[jwalsh07]

Afer the Clinton appointed courts get done tearing down the foundations of this country, then I will agree that there are no state rights.

Are they inalienable rights?

[Racehorse]

After all, 80% of people still say they would not want to be kept alive like that.

Saying it and meaning it . . . two different breeds of cat.

Otherwise, I agree, put it in writing, if you mean it . . . whatever it is.

[B Knotts]

What's stupid about it?

[planekT]

Absolutely common sense legislation.

[jerri]

Certainly, he didn't want to spend that money on therapy.

[cripplecreek]

I do have a moral problem. I don't like the idea of starving to death but I also oppose euthanasia. See my problem?

[7.62 x 51mm]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

[Howlin]

Well, this IS what is coming. Count on it. Among other things.

[Neets]

Stupid, but predicted.

[Dog]

Hopefully, more states will consider a bill like this. This could have prevented this whole situation with Terri Schiavo.

Why?

This will create a whole new set of problems...

[madprof98]

From this day forward, anyone who doesn't have one can be assumed to want to be dead, or to not care.

I almost never agree with you, but this statement is exactly right. It might be even more accurate to change "can be assumed" to "WILL be assumed."

[steveegg]

Sheltrown, a Democrat from West Branch,....

God bless Rep Sheltrown. Of course, he just signed his political death warrant; he will lose all support from the Michgan DemonRAT Party and will draw a well-financed challenger in his next primary.

[the Deejay]

Yes. I can barely stand to look.

I hear ya!

My eyes! My eyes!

LOL!!

[yooper]

I would amend this bill to also add spouses who stand to profit from a life insurance policy. My feelings on this whole Schiavo business are very mixed; however, one facet of the case which I feel certain of is that Michael Schiavo is top-shelf slime.