Much of the state level legislative activity concerning POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) has been carried out under the general public’s radar. But when Governor Chris Christie vetoed the New Jersey POLST bill yesterday, it hit the news feed. According to NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM and the Governor’s veto message – While noting the prospective benefits in … Continue reading NJ Governor Vetoes POLST Bill, Suggests Revisions
Last weekend, Thaddeus Pope posted a followup to an earlier item shared and discussed on his Medical Futility Blog. Let’s take it in order. Back in March of this year, Pope originally shared the news about the unexpected recovery of Kimberly McNeill of New Zealand, an 18-year-old who suffered severe injuries in a car crash … Continue reading Miracles, recovery and “rush-to-judgment” revisited
On Sunday (May 8, 2011), the Austin American-Statesman published an update of sorts on the continuing stalemate over the Texas “futile care statute,” which translates as a “win” for supporters of the status quo. It’s a fascinating article – for many reasons. But perhaps the most fascinating are the many contradictions contained in the article … Continue reading Texas: Supporters of Texas “Futile Care” Law Continue to Maintain the Status Quo, Preventing Change
There are many news sources for this, but here’s the news from UCBerkeley News giving a short account of the life of Ed Roberts and the legislative action that created an “Ed Roberts Day.” Here are the first two paragraphs from Wendy Edelstein’s “Ed Roberts, disability-rights leader and Cal alum, gets his own state day“: … Continue reading Calif. – Ed Roberts Day Declared – his impact on disability rights and his relationship to NDY issues
This past week, news sources in Europe and the US have been telling the story of Richard Rudd, who was left with spinal cord injuries and in an apparent coma after a motorcycle accident. As medical staff and family prepared to disconnect Mr. Rudd’s ventilator, a final examination by one of his physicians held open … Continue reading Richard Rudd – Saved by a Blink
