5 ms·
Two words: legal guardianship. We already have constructs in society for people that do not have the ability to care for themselves (temporarily or permanently
by tremon 8y ago
Two words: legal guardianship.
We already have constructs in society for people that do not have the ability to care for themselves (temporarily or permanently). I would not be in favor of any law that tries to deliver care through the judicial system. Instead, I would much rather support a law that allows people close to the patient (like the mother in this story) to be officially designated as health proxy, so they can force treatment if the patient is unwilling/unable.
Only in cases where no such guardian is available (or is willing -- it is not an easy burden I presume) would I want the state to get involved, and even then much rather a health official than a judge.
- josephorjoe 8y agoHow does the state not get involved in forcing medical treatment on an adult? Even if a relative is designated as a guardian, if the person refuses treatment what happens? Forcing an unwilling adult to regularly take medication is not a simple thing to do and in many cases will require physical restraint or violence (or the threats thereof). Even getting a young child to take medication can be challenging (try getting a 5 year old to go through a 2 week antibiotic treatment w a liquid antibiotic that tastes bad...).