While supporters say the changes amount to a needed update of a law enacted 15 years ago, critics worried about giving medical workers too much power over life and death decisions.
The debate to clarify living will policy was plagued by confusion…….And lawmakers on both sides of the question at times seemed to struggle with the proposal's evolving content.
"This bill was 24 pages long; the first amendment was another 24 pages long; the amendment that you got in your packet over the weekend is 30 pages long; and the current law is probably another 15 pages……Have you read all of it? Do you understand it?
That's Representative Nancy Elliot….The Merrimack republican warned lawmakers against acting in haste. …….Particularly when it came to deciding how much discretion to medical professionals. Her concerns were seconded by a procession of the house's most zealous pro-life advocates. Freemont republican Dan Itse spoke at length of his issues he and his wife faced when their son was born with severe brain injuries…..Itse told of fighting doctors who he said repeatedly tried to impose a do not resuscitate order.……
"Make no mistake -- the culture of death does exist……I have looked it in the eye and I've stared it down…."
Ultimately, the language that give doctors and nurse practitioners the right to withhold life-sustaining treatment if it would cause unnecessary suffering was stripped out of the package……Even so, before the final vote, supporters took pains to clarify what the bill would not do.
"It is not a bill that authorized euthanasia or mercy killings……It is not a bill that allows a physician to pull the plug simply to save money."
That's House Judiciary committee Chairman Cynthia Dokmo. Dokmo and others stressed that the bill not only covered end of life decisions, but also gave mentally competent adults the right to designate an agent to make any health care decision if they were unable make them themselves……The measure allows for the living will and medical power of attorney to be nullified at any time…..and, as Dokmo also pointed out, grants people complete freedom when it comes to defining their own scope of care.
"Remember, this is a voluntary form you can fill out…..And if you want to fill it out and say I want them to do absolutely anything to save my life -- even if it means living in a coma for 15 years -- you can say that."
To take effect, such directives would need to be signed in the presence of a two witnesses, a notary public or a justice of the peace……….According to the doctors, awyers and clergy involved in the drafting process the measure only gives people more control over the what is by it's vary nature an involuntary process……Critics meanwhile, believe the measure is still riddled with problems…..They say terms such as "near death" and "permanently unconscious" are so vague that they will cause problems…..The measure won final adoption by a 231 to 118 margin.
