The case has brought Texas' "futile care" law into the limelight. The 1999 state law empowers a hospital ethics committee to agree with doctors who believe further treatment of a patient is medically futile and to require the patient to be transferred within 10 days or have his care discontinued.
"This is a value judgment," wrote bioethics specialist Wesley Smith on his weblog at bioethics.com. "Members of ethics committees should have no right to impose their values over those of patients and families. Let us hope the Texas legislature revokes Texas' misbegotten futile care law."
Emilio's mother, Catarina Gonzales, 23, told NRL News she realizes there is "no cure" for her son.
"I know my son is going to die," she said. "But I want him to die when God calls him, not when someone pulls the plug."
LIFE DIGEST: Judge blocks Texas hospital's termination of care for young boy; ...
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“This seminar is so needed!” said Petty. “Although we are hesitant to talk about death, we must learn to overcome our discomfort so that we can protect the wishes of our loved ones.” In addition to looking closely at advance care documents, other topics such as estate taxes, living trusts, funeral planning and organ/tissue donations will be covered.
“Much of the time is devoted to the question and answer session because we want the attendees to direct the flow of information,” continued Petty. “This allows attendees to find out exactly what they want to know about end of life decisions.”
BOOM! Magazine to Host End of Life Seminar
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