Unfortunately, there’s an all-too-familiar scene playing that’s been playing out in Chemung County in New York. In January 2006, Gary E. Harvey had a heart attack and fell down a flight of stairs. The injuries left him permanently and severely disabled. Gary Harvey was placed in Chemung County Nursing Facility – and a familiar battle … Continue reading NY Case on Feeding Tube Withdrawal – Gary Harvey
Disability Rights Wisconsin(DRW) is suing the UW Hospital for allegedly violating the law in pushing for withholding of life-sustaining treatment in the cases of two individuals with developmental disabilities. The story about the case was published in the May 14th issue of the Wisconsin State Journal. Thanks to Tim Wheat (the first to send me … Continue reading Disability Rights Wisconsin Sues Over Allegedly Illegal Withholding of Treatment at UW Hospital
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
My apologies for the unexpected short hiatus. I had a few too many offline issues to deal with last week to get to the blog. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the next couple of weeks should be better. First, an update on Kaylee Wallace. Thanks to the public expressions of concern over her fate and whether or … Continue reading Update on Kaylee Wallace & Hospital for Sick Children
Mark Murphy, Legal Director of the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania (DRN), emailed a summary of an important Superior Court decision that lays out a very stringent set of criteria that have to be met in order for a guardian to order refusal of treatment for an incapacitated person who isn’t at the end stage … Continue reading Pennsylvania: Important Guardianship Ruling — Strict, Narrow Limits for Refusing Life-Sustaining Treatment
