Good news! Following intervention by attorneys, the Minnesota hospital that we previously reported had planned to stop providing oxygen to a woman with lung cancer decided to follow her wishes to continue treatment. This goes to show, as so many people with disabilities have experienced, that when there’s a power imbalance operating against you, get legal/advocate help to tip the scales and, hopefully, secure compliance with the law. Below is the public statement issued by Life Legal Defense.
Reprieve for Catie: Hospital will not pull the plug
May 1, 2019
Thank you SO MUCH to all who showed up for Catie by getting the word out and calling the hospital. You are AMAZING! We have learned that the hospital is not going to remove Catie’s oxygen. They agreed to abide by her wishes and the wishes of her health care proxy to allow Catie to remain on oxygen. She is resting comfortably now. Thank you again! ❤️
Here is our official statement:
Yesterday, Life Legal reported that 64-year-old Catie Cassidy was threatened with removal of oxygen while receiving care at a Minnesota hospital. Without supplemental oxygen, Catie would have suffocated to death.
In response, Life Legal attorneys sent a demand letter letting the hospital know of its duties under Minnesota law.
We received news today that Fairview Hospital in Edina is fully cooperating with Catie’s health care proxy and that they will continue to provide Catie with oxygen as needed.
We are grateful for the work of our Life Legal Minnesota team, especially attorneys Wayne Holstad and Craig Beuning of Holstad and Knaak, who intervened immediately on Catie’s behalf.
“Life Legal is pleased that Catie will receive the care she needs and that her wish to fight for her life as long as she can will be honored,” said Life Legal Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. “It is time for us to have a larger conversation about the inherent value of every human life and about our moral obligation to protect those who are most vulnerable.”