I agree with both of you it is a very difficult situation, that is why there is the controversy.
“...because the woman, who has learning difficulties, was deemed incapable of making a rational decision about the operation.”
“Learning difficulties,” seems way down the scale of mental incapacity or competence.
On the other hand, thank goodness there is absolutely no profit motive involved in this decision as neither the doctors or the hospital will benefit in any way whatsoever.
If they had complied with her change of mind I am sure many would be claiming ‘death panels’ - so perhaps getting the judicial ruling is the best form of protection for all concerned from future problems.
I disagree. We're either free, or we're not. If this woman has the legal authority to make her other life decisions, then she should be permitted to make this decision too (even though I strongly disagree with her choice). If she is not competent to make other decisions, then there should be one individual who does have the authority to make her daily life decisions, and that person should make the decision for her, unless the court signs her rent contract for her and controls her daily spending. The court was wrong to order the treatment, and the doctors were wrong to ask that the courts compel a free American to follow their orders.