EndofLife

Women Take Legal Action Against Kansas for Ignoring End-of-Life Preferences During Pregnancy

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Kansas City, Kansas – A group of women has filed a lawsuit against the state of Kansas, challenging a law that they argue undermines the end-of-life wishes of pregnant women. The legislation in question allows medical personnel to prioritize the life of a fetus over the wishes of a woman who may face critical health issues. The plaintiffs in the case allege that the law violates their constitutional rights and strips them of autonomy during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. They contend that their decisions regarding medical care should not be … Read more

The Moral Complexities of Patient Autonomy: Examining the Ethical Dilemma in End-of-Life Treatment for Mental Illness and Death Row Cases

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Austin, Texas – Mental health providers face an ethical dilemma when their patients express a desire to forego treatment and enter palliative care. The issue was explored in an article published in The New York Times Magazine, which profiled Naomi, a woman afflicted by anorexia nervosa and who has had no success with traditional interventions. While Naomi is deemed competent to make decisions about her care, the question arises of whether different rules should apply to mentally ill individuals compared to those with physical illnesses. The article highlights the complexity of this moral dilemma without … Read more