Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions – TOC

Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions:
Protecting Yourself & Your Family

Table of Contents | Part 1Part 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