Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions:
Protecting Yourself & Your Family
Table of Contents | Part 1 | Part 2
by Rita L. Marker
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PART I: EUTHANASIA & ASSISTED SUICIDE
Moving the Boundaries
A Family Affair
Two Pillars of Advocacy
Autonomy
Elimination of Suffering
Contradictions
Step-by-Step Approach
Oregon
Official Reports
Other Troubling Aspects of Assisted Suicide in Oregon
Opposing Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide Efforts
Legislative Proposals
Voter Initiative or Referendum
Endnotes for Part I
PART II: PROTECTING YOURSELF & YOUR LOVED ONES
Who Makes Medical Decisions?
Advance Directives
Decision-making for incapacitated individuals in the absence of an advance directive
The Living Will
The Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
The Protective Medical Decisions Document (PMDD)
Can a person be required to sign an advance directive?
Who needs an advance directive?
Must healthcare providers honor all decisions made by a patient or a patient’s decision-maker?
If It’s Legal, Is It Ethical?
The Food & Fluids Debate
Background
Is tube feeding new, expensive and risky?
Is spoon feeding optional?
Food & fluids: Treatment or care?
CONCLUSION
Endnotes for Part II