Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Breaking: Emergency injunction filed to stop hospital from discontinuing baby's care
Jill Stanek ^ | November 23, 2009 | Jill Stanek

Posted on 11/23/2009 12:24:50 PM PST by moonpie57

Edited on 11/23/2009 3:46:03 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]

UPDATE, 3:45p: The ADF lawsuit and pro-life hubbub caused the "ethics panel" to decide today to formally agree not to withdraw care for Baby Gabriel. Thanks to all who reposted and called the hospital!

ADF writes:

The agreement between the hospital and Baby Gabriel's mother has not yet been put in writing. ADF attorneys are withdrawing their motion for a temporary restraining order but will not withdraw the complaint until a written agreement is finalized. Until then, the lawsuit is still active.

ADF legal counsel Matt Bowman said, "We are pleased with the ethic panel's decision but look forward to full resolution in writing so Baby Gabriel's life will no longer be in danger."

------------------------------
The Alliance Defense Fund just filed an emergency injunction and restraining order in response to the decision a couple hours ago by an "ethics panel" at East Tennessee Children's Hospital to discontinue care of 9-month-old Gabriel Palmer.

According to an ADF press release:

Baby Gabriel was born prematurely with a genetic abnormality, club foot, and narrow airway, but he flourished when he went home from the hospital in June, where he grew, played, and received physical therapy while going to regular doctor visits. He was fed through a tube and received some oxygen and medications.

On an October weekend when the baby's regular doctors were unavailable, Palmer took her son to the ETCH emergency room because of breathing problems. After interventions by the medical staff, the baby went into shock, developed pulmonary vascular disease, and was placed on a respirator.

Despite the complications, Baby Gabriel is in stable condition, and an ETCH doctor determined he could live "a long while." The child is alert, active, and responsive when not sedated. In recent days while awake, he spent time kicking his feet, tried to play with his stuffed animals, listened to his mother and grandmother, and responded to his favorite music.

The ADF press release continues:

ETCH recently began giving up on Baby Gabriel's care, and on Nov. 13, the head of ETCH's PICU, Dr. Kevin Brinkmann [pictured right], told Palmer that the hospital was going to stop feeding him milk and giving him his medications, as well as disconnect his respirator, because the staff considered his care "futile."

Brinkmann said a formal "ethics panel" meeting at 12p EST Monday would determine whether to stop treating Baby Gabriel, but he noted that the decision was already a foregone conclusion. Ethics panel members have already said they will decide to cease the baby's care despite his mother's objections. ETCH's policies declare that treatment can be withdrawn over the family's objections as soon as the ethics panel makes its decision.

After doctors decided that Baby Gabriel was not worth treating, ETCH started discriminating against him by denying his basic care. Staff stopped bathing him, ceased applying cream to alleviate his chapped skin, reduced his diaper changes, and have not allowed his physical therapy. ETCH doctors have also discouraged Palmer's attempts to have her son transferred to other medical facilities where he could receive treatment.

ADF filed the motion for restraining order and injunction in Palmer v. East Tennessee Children's Hospital Association... which has set a hearing... for 3::30p EST Monday....

Call the ETCH Community Relations Office at 865-541-8165 to express your outrage. I just did.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: adf; babygabriel; deathpanel; deathpanels; education; elections; etch; ethics; feeforservice; government; healthcare; military; moralabsolutes; obama; obamacare; palin; politics; prolife; socialism; socializedmedicine; teaparties
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 141-153 next last
To: swain_forkbeard

Yes. A society is judged by how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members. Compassion comes at a price. I am willing to pay that price.

Some day I may be that most vulnerable member.


61 posted on 11/23/2009 1:40:17 PM PST by Palladin (Holder and Obama terrorize New Yorkers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: moonpie57

I couldn’t live with myself if I was a medical person and followed these immoral orders to not even change a baby’s diapers.

Who are these sick people who would do such things to a baby? I pray for him and his mother. May God help them both and give them strength.


62 posted on 11/23/2009 1:42:14 PM PST by JenB987
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: swain_forkbeard; trumandogz; Palladin
Perhaps this is not the time nor place for this discussion.

Whilst I am as opposed to socialized medicine or taxpayer funded care as anyone, and seeing as there are or will be other means if the current climate abates, discussing such cold hearted and Draconian subjects while a life is in the balance, especially the life of a child, only plays to the worst stereotypes of how socialized medicine supporters view conservatives.

Sometimes it is not about the money even if it is about the costs.

63 posted on 11/23/2009 1:44:39 PM PST by ejonesie22
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: pollywog
How’s Emma by the way?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2388236/posts

64 posted on 11/23/2009 1:45:09 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (:: The government will do for health care what it did for real estate. ::)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: ejonesie22

Thank you. A voice of reason.


65 posted on 11/23/2009 1:45:59 PM PST by Palladin (Holder and Obama terrorize New Yorkers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler

You and me both!


66 posted on 11/23/2009 1:48:15 PM PST by fightinbluhen51 ("MOLON LABE")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler
Oh Jeff, the sweet little one. It breaks my heart, to see her so wanting to come home. Know that she is in my prayers.

...but just think Jeff she will be home for Christmas.

67 posted on 11/23/2009 1:51:38 PM PST by mware (F-R-E-E, that spells free. Free Republic.com baby.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Faith; rockabyebaby

I just called and gave the lady an earful, she was of no help, I think they’re stonewalling us.


68 posted on 11/23/2009 1:51:43 PM PST by whatisthetruth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: moonpie57; All

Good News from the ADF site:

UPDATE: After ADF filed its lawsuit, doctors with the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital changed their opposition to ongoing care for Baby Gabriel, and the ethics panel formally agreed not to withdraw his care. The agreement between the hospital and Baby Gabriel’s mother has not yet been put in writing. ADF attorneys are withdrawing their motion for temporary restraining order but will not withdraw the complaint until a written agreement is finalized. Until then, the lawsuit is still active. ADF Legal Counsel Matt Bowman said, “We are pleased at the ethics panel’s decision and look forward to full resolution in writing so that Baby Gabriel’s life will no longer be in danger.”


69 posted on 11/23/2009 1:52:01 PM PST by ejonesie22
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Palladin

Logically, then, you would support socialized healthcare. But somehow I doubt that you do.


70 posted on 11/23/2009 1:53:07 PM PST by swain_forkbeard (Rationality may not be sufficient, but it is necessary.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: moonpie57; 185JHP; 230FMJ; 69ConvertibleFirebird; Albion Wilde; Aleighanne; Alexander Rubin; ...
Moral Absolutes Ping!

Freepmail wagglebee or DirtyHarryY2K to subscribe or unsubscribe from the moral absolutes ping list.

FreeRepublic moral absolutes keyword search
[ Add keyword moral absolutes to flag FR articles to this ping list ]


71 posted on 11/23/2009 1:53:18 PM PST by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler

Why wouldn’t you just arrange for a transfer for your children to a hospital with better facilities?


72 posted on 11/23/2009 1:53:19 PM PST by TaxRelief (Walmart: Keeping my family on-budget since 1993.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Marty62

And to think Doctors used to work like mad to save lives, not end them.


73 posted on 11/23/2009 1:56:13 PM PST by Niuhuru (The Internet is the digital AIDS; adapting and successfully destroying the MSM host.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww there’s that sweet pumpkin!!!
I don’t blame her for wanting to come home.
Our 18 year old ended up in the hospital today for tests, as she has been vomiting and in pain. Blood work not good but they are sending her home until she can see her Dr. tomorrow. Hubby is en route as I type!

Continuing to pray for Emma and hoping that the time will be cut for her hospital stay and she will be home running around again soon!!


74 posted on 11/23/2009 1:59:01 PM PST by pollywog ("Regime Change USA".... 2010-2012 ~~Let's Roll !!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: swain_forkbeard

To a point, yes. I am old enough to remember when doctors did pro-bono work, and hospitals sometimes gave free care to the destitute. These were mainly charity hospitals, mainly Catholic, some Methodist. It was a system that worked. Nobody went broke supporting it.


75 posted on 11/23/2009 1:59:33 PM PST by Palladin (Holder and Obama terrorize New Yorkers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: pollywog

Prayers for your daughter, and for Emma as well!


76 posted on 11/23/2009 2:00:52 PM PST by Palladin (Holder and Obama terrorize New Yorkers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Winged Hussar

You know even the dying need full care. This is beyond comprehension.


77 posted on 11/23/2009 2:03:26 PM PST by Chickensoup (We have the government we deserve.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: tnlibertarian

There can be no possible excuse to deny this child basic care and decency.


78 posted on 11/23/2009 2:04:48 PM PST by Shimmer1 (When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: pollywog
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww there’s that sweet pumpkin!!!

Actually, "Pumpkin" is her little sister's nickname. Emma is a "Princess".

Keep an eye on your daughter, especially if she runs a fever. Don't hesitate to take her back to the hospital. There is some nasty stuff out there and it hits FAST.

79 posted on 11/23/2009 2:05:51 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (:: The government will do for health care what it did for real estate. ::)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: afnamvet

What a little bruiser!! :D God bless


80 posted on 11/23/2009 2:05:55 PM PST by Shimmer1 (When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 141-153 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson