End of Life issues - Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia
Threat of Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Back
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC)
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC)
Michigan Protections for the Terminally Ill on the Chopping Block
Several Michigan Senate Democrats introduced a package of bills to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Michigan. These bills threaten to open the door for terminally ill patients who are predicted to pass away within six months to receive a lethal dose of medication to t
Michigan Protections for the Terminally Ill on the Chopping Block
Several Michigan Senate Democrats introduced a package of bills to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Michigan. These bills threaten to open the door for terminally ill patients who are predicted to pass away within six months to receive a lethal dose of medication to tragically end their lives.
According to the Patients Rights Action Fund, "A major study of physician prognoses in Chicago revealed that of 468 predictions, only 20% were accurate in predicting when death would occur. In another study 'No group accurately predicted the length of patient survival more than 50% of the time.' From 12-15% of patients outlive hospice, which is based on a six month prognosis."
If this package of bills is passed, it would be the start of a slippery slope for Michigan. Of the states and countries that have legalized assisted suicide, most have started with limitations and what are characterized as “safeguards” yet steadily moved to repeal those regulations. Some examples of regulations that states have started with are a waiting period, counseling, consultation from a second physician, etc. Almost all states with assisted suicide have now repealed these regulations in an effort to expand assisted suicide far beyond even the terminally ill.
This poses a threat to the elderly, minority groups, the disabled and the mentally ill. Many of these individuals already suffer from lack of access to high standards of healthcare. Adding assisted suicide as a possible “solution” could easily result in coerced or pressured deaths.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC)
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC)
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC)
Right to Life of Michigan strongly recommends the use of a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care to document your end of life wishes.
- A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC) is a legal document in which you appoint a patient advocate to make health care decisions for you should you become unable to do so.
- You may state wh
Right to Life of Michigan strongly recommends the use of a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care to document your end of life wishes.
- A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC) is a legal document in which you appoint a patient advocate to make health care decisions for you should you become unable to do so.
- You may state what medical treatment you should or should not receive, and under what circumstances your preferences will be carried out.
- Under a DPOA-HC, your appointed patient advocate makes decisions based on your wishes and the circumstances of your medical condition at that particular time.
- “Living wills” are not legally binding in Michigan. Because “living wills” cannot anticipate future medical advances or changing life circumstances, they often hinder rather than help medical decision making.