[andie74]

We really need to emphasize that there is a right to refuse treatment," Fagerlin said. "It would be a terrible outcome of this case if we don't let surrogate decision-makers make decisions to remove treatment." I'm afraid exactly that is going to happen, though.

My biggest concern: since when is food and water considered treatment? We are not talking about passive euthanasia where someone refuses cancer treatment or a respirator to breathe for them...we are talking about active euthanasia...starving someone to death.

[Tarantulas]

My biggest concern: since when is food and water considered treatment?

Under Florida law, the feeding tube is in the same category as a "breathing tube" or ventilator:

(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. The term does not include the administration of medication or performance of medical procedure, when such medication or procedure is deemed necessary to provide comfort care or to alleviate pain.

Reference

[Cboldt]

My biggest concern: since when is food and water considered treatment?

In Florida, since sometime after the time Terri collapsed.

(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. The term does not include the administration of medication or performance of medical procedure, when such medication or procedure is deemed necessary to provide comfort care or to alleviate pain.

Chapter 765, Florida Statutes 2004 <-- It's near the top, "Definitions"