This week, the Michigan House of Representatives introduced Resolution 314: A resolution to affirm the right of patients and families to direct health care decisions. Among other things, the Resolution addresses medical futility conflicts:
Whereas, Medical circumstances can arise where medical professionals determine that a patient’s treatment should not continue based on subjective, non-medical factors, such as quality of life. These decisions can put patients at risk of unjust and premature death. Disputes over treatment decisions have led to highly-publicized legal cases that exact a high cost – financially, emotionally, and otherwise – on all parties involved."
"Whereas, The fundamental rights of life and liberty in the Bill of Rights demand that a robust and protective legal due process be guaranteed when a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment is in dispute. If notice to withdraw life-sustaining care is contested by a patient advocate or family member, care should not be withdrawn until a full and fair hearing is conducted by an impartial decisionmaker to protect the patient’s rights."
"Whereas, A just society must err on the side of life and maintain that it is in the best interest of a patient to continue to live and receive the treatment needed to sustain life."
"Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we affirm the right of patients and families to direct health care decisions and urge all three branches of state and local governments to affirm this right."
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