Update: Breaking News here - the hospital is giving the family three days.

The great state of Texas has apparently adopted euthanasia as a means for controlling its health care costs. I'm told that Andrea Clark, a woman whose life hangs in the balance, is one of many individuals whose medical treatment is being withdrawn for the express purpose of ending their lives.

Andrea, 54, suffered complications following open heart surgery that left her dependent upon a respirator for survival. Although her motor control faculties were damaged, according to her family, her cognitive abilities were unaffected.

On April 19, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, TX informed Andrea's closest kin that her medical care would be discontinued in 10 days; an ethics committee decided to "pull the plug" in a flagrant act of (passive) euthanasia. Amazingly, the committee included an Episcopalian priest who asserted, "it's wrong to keep Andrea alive, she is suffering," despite having had no contact with her. [as reported by Ree-C Murphey].

Until early last week, Andrea was able to make her own medical decisions and had decided that she wanted life saving treatment until the point of "natural death". However, "the physicians decided to increase her pain medication and anesthetize her into unconsciousness," revealed her sister, Melanie Childers.

In a brief conversation this evening, Melanie explained that before sedation, her sister was very responsive, both recognizing visitors and interacting with them. Although a tracheostomy left her unable to speak, she was able to communicate effectively by mouthing words and sentences.

"When her son comes in she smiles," Melanie explained. "She told [him], 'You need to get married'."

Lanore Dixon, another of Andrea's sisters, told KHOU,

"If their ethics committee makes a decision, it doesn't matter what the patient wants. It doesn't even apparently matter what the patient's condition is, because our sister is not in a coma, she's not brain dead. She's sick, but she's been sick before and she's proven doctors wrong lots of times.

Last Saturday Andrea's family called for a protest outside St. Luke's Hospital. To their surprise, the demonstration was well attended by families who had previously lost a loved one to the hospital's compulsory euthanasia program.

John Hawkings (RightWingNews) contacted the hospital, asking for their side of the story. Similar to other media outlets, he received the following statement:

"Ms. Andrea Clark was admitted to St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital on November 20, 2005. Due to St. Luke's confidentiality policy regarding patient privacy, it is precluded from commenting on her care unless the family provides written consent to the hospital.

St. Luke's treatment of Ms. Clark has been and continues to be consistent with its mission of providing ethical, compassionate and quality care to all its patients."

Andrea's sister disagrees that the institution is providing ethical and compassionate care:

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, in my opinion, is heartless and cold, and only concerned about the bottom line. But the insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, is also a party to this kind of thing. That's where the pressure needs to be applied. I am sure Blue Cross Blue Shield is suffering no negative publicity in this battle. But they should.

Most people don't know how this system works. And I wouldn't have known, either, had I not been faced with this horrible situation. Poor Andrea, knowing that her health was delicate, bought supplemental insurance policies right and left--most of which do not cover this type of situation at all (she didn't know--she was just doing her best, to protect herself). The sad thing is that Andrea spent large pieces of her limited income in order to avoid just such a situation, and here she is faced with it anyway.

The deadline for Andrea Clark is Sunday, April 30th. Although her attorney, Jerri Ward, is exploring "all legal avenues", state law apparently gives the hospital a surprising advantage over their patients.

In the meantime, Melanie has asked that those concerned about her sister contact the hospital:

Andrea Clark is at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, TX. St. Luke's is located at: 6720 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX. Their phone number is: 832-355-1000. Here's the website, and a general email address

Update: Andre Clark is not the only one! Meet Ms. Yenlang Vo's.

Update 2: We've received word that your calls have helped!

Update 3: Andrea's last name is spelled "Clark".

Related:

Andrea Clark Trusted Her Doctors

Andrea Clark - Update

In Houston, 'Ethics' Kills (Andrea Clark) - Schindlers get involved!

More On Andrea Clark - URGENT Action Needed!

Andrea Clark's Struggle for Life

Euthanasia in Texas

Killing Andrea Clark - We are Protesting - Help Us

A Step Beyond the Terri Schiavo Case

Hospital to Terminate Texas Woman

Additional Sources:

Family scrambles to save sick mother - Has until Sunday to move mom, get new doc ? or hospital pulls plug

The Troubling Case of Andrea Clarke of Houston, TX

Life support battle at St. Luke's

Hospital to 'kill' sick woman?

The Sad Case Of Andrea Clarke

Houston Hospital Votes To End Woman's Life With Bush Law

Photo: Watch the video here.

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