State lawmakers seek immunity for end-of life decisions
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington state lawmakers are moving ahead with a plan that would give health care providers immunity for following end-of-life directives.
The House approved a bill Monday night to extend that protection for providers who follow valid forms that summarize end-of-life wishes.
Democratic Rep. Jim Moeller of Vancouver says the measure is needed to ensure that health care providers can abide by the will of a patient without fear of liability.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Pedersen of Seattle opposed the measure. He fears the proposal would allow someone to complete an end-of-life form for a family member and that health care providers would not be obligated to check files for other end-of-life directives that may have been filled out by the patient.
The measure passed 59-36.
The House approved a bill Monday night to extend that protection for providers who follow valid forms that summarize end-of-life wishes.
Democratic Rep. Jim Moeller of Vancouver says the measure is needed to ensure that health care providers can abide by the will of a patient without fear of liability.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Pedersen of Seattle opposed the measure. He fears the proposal would allow someone to complete an end-of-life form for a family member and that health care providers would not be obligated to check files for other end-of-life directives that may have been filled out by the patient.
The measure passed 59-36.
Just recently, a facility was in the news because they would NOT administer CPR to a seniorÂ
citizen.
It was not a patient with directives regarding end of life decisions, but it was simply the
policy of the facility to not give CPR, even if it could/would save lives. My concern is thatÂ
that attitude and policy does not become the standard of the senior care industry and thatÂ
those without living wills forbidding CPR, and other life saving procedures would still beÂ
aided unless there was a do not resuscitate order on file.
My wife, and I both have living wills that state that doctors should let us go if our standardÂ
of life can not exist after resuscitation. The exact conditions and directives are laid out inÂ
our living wills.
My only concern would be to have provisions in place to assure the person is alert and totally aware of what they are signing.My mother had an end of life directive and the Dr followed her wishes.She signed it while she was fully aware of her situation.A friend if mine lost his mother and she had âsignedâ one of these while she was in mostly out of it.Her âsignatureâ was nothing but a scrawl.There was no way she could have signed anything.With obummers death care coming on line, I worry about these things.
I for one refuse to be milked by the Healthcare Industry and burden my family if I get taken out early or severely injured! My wife and family know my feelings and will not allow some overzealous Hospital to keep pumping me with drugs while draining what little money I have ... I do not want to be a burden to my family and I definitely refuse to die and see them have to not only deal with the tragedy of my death but the HUGE BILLS as well... no thank you!
I get cancer or some other terminal disease I WILL REFUSE ALL TREATMENT and let it go and die in peace!... Seriously we die when we die and there is no cheating death...I just hope I accomplish everything I want to in life before that happens... once I have done so... my life is complete and I can die in peace!
I totally support this measure. Why, because I have an advanced directive and I gave my father a POA. I've had an aneurysm, 2 craniotomies, and brain damage that goes along with it. I decided quite a while ago want I wanted to happen if things go bad, and I filled out my advanced directive for that specific reason. And I want them carried out, as per my wishes. In most situations, I want them to pull the plug, and let me go peacefully. I expect them to follow my wishes, with no chance of legal issues.Â
I think everyone has lost their mind.  If  a person does not want their life prolonged by artificial means (and that means ANYTHING someone else would impose outside of nature), you are molesting them in your own self-justified way.  It is one thing if you want a treatment, or procedure.  It's quite another thing if you do not.  If I want to be vegan, or love someone I choose, or refuse care... those are personal decisions.  If you don't like it - than YOU do something else.Â
I will put the gun to my head but first I will ask permission from the DR. ? What part of we will all die does not get through these diplomats for the medical community. They are fearful of having legal ramifications, and bills not paid, nothing more. They have absolutely no real feelings about the patient one way or the other. Call my lawyer...
@Grumpa I don't think you understand the issue.  Grandma goes into the hospital with a CVA and quickly deteriorates.  She will need a feeding tube in order to sustain her life.  But her living will clearly states she does not want a feeding tube or any other life-prolonging measure.  But her daughter is her POA-power of attorney-and demands that the feeding tube be placed.  Grandma cannot speak for herself now and the feeding tube will be placed because the living will is not legally binding.  This is extremely unethical and just wrong on every level.  But  done all of the time because medical staff are afraid of lawsuits.  Grandma won't sue them because she is unable but you can better believe her daughter will.
@jules1968 @Grumpa It sounds to me like daughter does not respect her mother, and should NEVER have been chosen as POA.  Dang!  These conversations should be happening.  Not only should they be happening, but repeated, and a part of our communication fiber.  If you're uncomfortable with death - then you're not presently comfortable with facing an inevitable reality.  Don't agree to be someone's Medical POA.  It's about loving, and respecting who you're representing.
@Warmfrost @jules1968 @Grumpa I completely agree with you.  I work in healthcare and have seen this senario a few times.  Usually there is not a POA but several children and a living will. All of the kids wish to honor the living will save one.  And that one child will not give in to their parent's wishes.  They are loud and difficult and continually oppose the rest.  Medical staff is dumbfounded and everything comes to a standstill for fear of lawsuits.  My guess is they are a completely dysfunctional family from the start
 and they just bring that into the hospital with them!
I would vote for this. If a person asks a Dr for permission to end their life if they have an incurable painful disease and the Dr agrees that should be the end of it. Just because some aunt or uncle, half brother or whom ever doesn't like they should not have the option of dragging the Dr into court or calling the cops on them. It is bad enough to have to agree to something likt that but to be held libel for it later on is stupid. Â