Hidden Nook
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Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Terri Schiavo Inspires Louisiana House
[Media Source*] (Hat Tip: Blogs for Terri)
Under Rep. Gary Beard's bill, the tubes would not be considered "life support." People whose living wills don't make a distinction between life support and feeding tubes would have to be kept alive with the tubes, even if their living will says a patient does not want to be kept alive on life support...
"I'm trying to make sure that the horrible situation that happened in Florida ... doesn't happen in Louisiana," Beard, R-Baton Rouge, told the Committee on Health and Welfare.
This comes as good news for pro-lifers everywhere, but may face some "constitutional challenges." If a patient has asked not to be kept alive, they may fight this bill (assuming it becomes law) and soon the country may find itself with euthanasia on the table again, this time a request from the living. Unless Bill Frist begins to fight for President Bush's judicial nominations, then such a scenario is all the more likely.
The bill faced opposition from physicians and representatives from hospices, who told the committee that the bill would mean the state - not doctors and family members - would make the decision on whether or not a terminally ill patient should live or die...
A similar bill has passed a Senate committee and could complicate the passage of any feeding tube bill, because it would cost the state money. Sen. James David Cain's bill carries amendments that would require the state to pay health care costs for such patients, if the family cannot. That bill passed the Senate Judiciary A Committee and now awaits debate in the Senate.
The latter part of the bill should be struck down as it would raise taxes significantly, especially if a family does not feel like dishing out the necessary cash to save a dying "loved one." Although this bill contains some rough edges, it is good to see state legislatures finally begin to recognize the sanctity of life.
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Kathryn Judson, at
1:11 AM EDT
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By Darnell Clayton ⢠11:49 PM ⢠Email Post ⢠â¢
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