Sunday, January 26, 2014

Brain-Dead Texas Woman Removed From Ventilator

At 11:30 this morning, the dead body of Marlise Munoz was disconnected from mechanical ventilation. Munoz, who has been brain dead for weeks, was being kept ventilated by a Texas hospital, over her family's objections and against her own previously-stated wishes, on grounds that she was pregnant. On Friday a court found that the Texas Advance Directives Act, which prohibits removal of "life support" from any pregnant "patient," did not apply to a dead person; the judge gave the hospital until Monday at 5 to appeal or to remove the mechanical supports from Munoz's body. As of the close of business yesterday, hospital officials were still saying they weren't decided; but apparently the decision was made this morning, much to the relief of the Munoz family.

My coverage of the court decision, with greater legal detail and links to court documents, here. Earlier coverage here, here and here.


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