Various states are considering legislation in response to the public starvation/dehydration of Terri Schiavo. One of the latest proposals comes from Mississippi congressman Rep. Joey Fillingane (R-Sumrall) who is pushing a bill to "preserve a person's life" if there's a family disagreement about whether a "vegetative" patient would want to remain hooked to feeding tubes or other machines.
The same article notes that in Louisiana, a new law that took effect this year bars a violent husband or wife who causes his or her spouse to be terminally injured from making decisions about whether that spouse is taken off life support. It also prevents someone estranged from a disabled spouse and living with another person from making decisions for that spouse.
Pamela comments, "I think this is probably a good first start, but I'd be happier to see a resolution that forbids death by dehydration period." I'd also like to see more states considering similar or more comprehensive legislation banning euthanasia via starvation and dehydration. But, this is a start ...
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