The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court issued its ruling today in Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital. The hospital had asked the Court to rule that it had the right to discontinue dialysis treatments for Ruben Betancourt, a patient with a hypoxic brain injury, based on doctors’ claims that prolonging his life was “futile” … Continue reading New Jersey: Appellate Court Issues Ruling in Betancourt v. Trinitas
Oral arguments are scheduled today (April 27, 2010) in front of the New Jersey Appellate Division. The case is Betancourt v. Trinitas. You can read more about the case here and here. It’s an important judicial hearing on one hospital’s claim regarding the extent of their “right” to summarily refuse life-sustaining medical treatment over the … Continue reading New Jersey/Futility: Oral Arguments in Betancourt v. Trinitas (Appellate Court)
For the most complete information on the Betancourt case, including links to other amicus briefs, the best resource I’ve found is the Medical Futility Blog by Thaddeus Mason Pope. Pope disagrees with NDY on a significant number of issues, but he’s an impressive researcher who has posted links to research and news coverage that I’ve … Continue reading More on Betancourt
Last week, Not Dead Yet filed an amicus brief in Betancourt v. Trinitas, an Appellate court case in New Jersey. In additon to NDY, ADAPT, Center For Self-Determination, National Council on Independent Living, National Spinal Cord Injury Association, American Association of People with Disabilities, and Disability Rights New Jersey joined the brief as co-amici. Here’s … Continue reading NJ: Disability Groups File Amicus in Betancourt v. Trinitas (futility case)
This blog has visited the topic of futile care policies more than once. These policies allow hospitals to overrule advanced directives and/or the wishes of family members in removing/refusing life-sustaining treatment to someone unable to express his or her wishes. Of all the states, Texas has given hospitals the most power in these situations. And … Continue reading Patients’ Rights Bill Stalled in Texas – Bill Backed by Disability Advocates, Right to Life and ACLU
