3 ms·

> the other takes options away Yes, it takes it out of the hands of the family and actually respects the patients final wishes, that they made for themselves w

• hn_throwaway_99 8y ago
  What are you referring to? No one is talking about invalidating advance directives, or taking away medical power of attorney, etc., in cases where, as you put it, "the patients final wishes, that they made for themselves while still lucid" are known. Of course (unfortunately) most people still don't take these steps to make their wishes known. But the original comment was about "laws preventing family members from prolonging the suffering of their loved ones," specifically about an example of a young child, whose wishes were not known (and of course not really relevant for a toddler). The fact is in the absence of any advanced directive I would much rather have the family make decisions about the type of care desired by the patient than the state.