The Role of State Legislatures after Cruzan: What Can—And Should—State Legislatures Do?

Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health , 497 U.S.____, 111 L.Ed 2d 224, 110 S.Ct. 2841 (1990).

See e.g. Bouvia v. Superior Court, 179 Cal. App.

See e.g. In re Guardianship of Browning, 568 So. 2d 4 (1990); In re Westchester County Medical Center, 72 N.Y. 2d 517, 534 N.Y.S. 2d 886, 531 N.E. 2d 607 (1988); Society for the Right to Die, Living Will Legislation in the United States (1990).

“Medical Technology and the Law,” 103 Harv. L. Rev. 1522, 1671 (1990).

Most living will/natural death statutes require a diagnosis of terminal condition before treatment can be withdrawn from a qualified patient. The definition of “terminal” varies from state to state. Death must be “imminent” in some states, e.g. Illinois and must occur within a “short time” in others, e.g. South Carolina. Society for the Right to Die, Living Will Legislation in the United States.

See e.g. In re Peter, 108 N.J. 365, 529 A.2d 419 (1987).

Ibid.

California Statutory Form Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1984, 1985, 1989, 1990], Cal. Civil Code §§ 2430 to 2444 (West Supp. 1990 & A.B. 835, ch. 331, July 18, 1990); District of Columbia Health-Care Decisions Act of 1988 [1988]. D.C. Code Ann. §§ 21–2201 to -2213 (1989); Florida Durable Power of Attorney Act [1974, 1977, 1983, 1988, 1990], Fla.Stat. Ann. § 709.08 (Supp. 1990); Health Care Surrogate Act, Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 745.41 to -.52 (Supp. 1990); Georgia Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1990], Ga. Code §§ 31-36-1 to -13 (Supp. 1990); Illinois Powers of Attorney for Health Care Act [1987, 1988], Ill Ann. Stat. ch. 110 1/2, §§ 804–1 to -11 (Smith-Hurd 1989): Indiana Powers of Attorney Act, S.B. 237 (signed May 15, 1991); Iowa Power of Attorney Act [1975], Iowa Code §§ 633.705 to -.706 (Supp. 1989), health care decisions authorized by Iowa Life-sustaining Procedures Act, § 144A.7(a) (1989); Kansas Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions Act [1989], Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58–625 to -632 (Supp. 1989); Kentucky Health Care Surrogate Act [1990], Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 311.970 to -.986 (Supp. 1990); Maine Powers of Attorney Act [1986], Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 18-A, § 5–501 (Supp. 1989); Massachusetts Health Care Proxy by Individuals Act, Mass. Gen. Laws. ch 201D (H.B. 5906, signed Dec. 18, 1990); Michigan Power of Attorney for Health Care Act, Mich. Comp. Laws, §§ 496.1 to -.23 (H.B. 4016, signed December 18, 1990); Mississippi Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1990], Miss. Code Ann. §§ 41-41-151 to -183 (Supp. 1990); Missouri Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Mo. Ann. Stat. §§ 404.710 to -.865 (S.B. 148, signed May 17, 1991), Nevada Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1987], Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 449.800 to -.860 (Supp. 1989); New Hampshire Durable Power of Attorney for health Care Act, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 137-J; 1 to -J:16 (S.B. 66, signed May 20, 1991); New York Health Care Proxy Act [1990], N.Y. Pub. Health Law §§ 2980 to 2994 (S.B. 6176-A, signed July 22, 1990); North Dakota Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care Act [1991], H.B. 1384 (signed April 16, 1991); Ohio Power of Attorney Act for Health Care [1989], Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 1337.11 to -.17 (Anderson 1989); Oregon Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1989], Or. Rev. Stat §§ 127.505 to -.585 (1990); Rhode Island Health Care Power of Attorney Act [1986, 1989], R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23–4.10–1 to 2 (1989); South Carolina Powers of Attorney Act [1986, 1990], S.C. Code Ann. §§ 62-5-501 to 502 (Law Co-op Supp. 1990); South Dakota Durable Powers of Attorney Act [1977, 1979, 1990], S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §§ 59-7-2.1 to -2.8 (Supp. 1990); Tennessee Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care [1990], Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 34-6-101 to -214 (Supp. 1990): Texas Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1989], Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. tit. 71, ch. 20, art. 4950h-1 (Vernon Supp. 1990); Vermont Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care Act [1987], Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, ch. 121, §§ 3451 to 3467 (Supp. 1988); West Virginia Medical Power of Attorney Act [1990], W.Va. Code SS 16–30a-1 to -20 (Supp. 1990); Wisconsin Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1990], 1989 Wisc. Act 200 (H.B. 305 signed April 12, 1990); Wyoming Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1991], Wyo. Stat. §§ 3-5-201 to -214 (H.B. 300, signed March 4, 1991).

See e.g. In re Peter, 108 N.J. 365, 529 A.2d 419 (1987).

Arkansas Rights of the Terminally Ill or Permanently Unconscious Act [1987], Ark. Code Ann. §§ 20-17-201 to -218 (Supp. 1989); Delaware Death with Dignity Act [1982, 1983]. Del. Code Ann. tit. 16 §§ 2501 to 2509 (1983; Florida Life-Prolonging Procedure Act [1984, 1985, 1990], Fla. Stat. Ann. §§ 765.01 to -.15 (1986 & H.B. 513 enacted without signature June 30, 1990); Idaho Natural Death Act [1977, 1986, 1988], Idaho Code §§ 39–4501 to -4509 (1985 & Supp. 1989); Indiana Living Wills and Life-Prolonging Procedures Act [1985], Ind. Code Ann. §§ 16-8-11-1 to -22 (Burns Supp. 1989); Louisiana Life-Sustaining Procedures Act [1984, 1985, 1990], La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 40:1299.58.1 to -.10 (Supp. 1989 & S.B. 652, signed July 18 & H.B. 714, signed July 29, 1990); Maine Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act [1985, 1990], Me. Rev. Stat. Ann tit. 18-A, §§ 5–701 to -714 (H.B. 1497 signed April 17, 1990); Minnesota Adult Health Care Decisions Act [1989], Minn. Stat. §§ 145B.01 to -.17 (Supp. 1990); Montana Rights of the Terminally Ill ct [1985, 1989, 1991], Mont. Code Ann. §§ 50–90101 to -104, -111, -201 to -206 (1987 & H.B. 635, signed April 8, 1991); Texas Natural Death Act [1977, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1990], Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann 672.001 to .021 (Vernon Supp. 1990); Utah Personal Choice and Living Will Act [1985, 1988], Utah Code Ann. SS 75-2-1101 to -1118 (Supp. 1990); Virginia Natural Death Act [1983, 1988, 1989, 1991], Va. Code §§ 54.1–2981 to -2992 (Supp. 1989 & H.B. 1615, signed March 25, 1991); and Wyoming Living Will Act [1984, 1985, 1987], Wyo. Stat. §§ 35-22-101 to -109 (1990).

Arkansas Rights of the Terminally Ill or Permanently Unconscious Act, Ark., Code Ann. § 20-17-214 (Supp. 1987); Connecticut Removal of Life Support Systems Act, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-571 (Supp. 1989); Florida Life Prolonging Procedure Act, Fla. Stat. Ann. § 765.07 (H.B. 513 enacted June 30, 1990); Hawaii Medical Treatment Decisions Act, Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 327D-21 (Supp. 1988), as interpreted by In re Guardianship of Crabtree, No. 86-0031 (Hawaii Fa. Ct. 1st Cir. April 26, 1990) (Heeley, J.); Iowa Life Sustaining Procedures Act, Iowa Code Ann. § 144A.7 (1989); Louisiana Declarations Concerning Life-Sustaining Procedures Act, La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40: 1299.58.5 (West Supp. 1989): Maine Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act [1985, 1990], Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 18a, §§ 5–701 to -714 (H.B. 1497 signed April 17, 1990); New Mexico Right to Die Act, N.M. Stat. Ann. § 24-7-8.1 (1986); North Carolina Right to Natural Death Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 90–322 (1985); Oregon Rights with Respect to Terminal Illness Act, Or. Rev. Stat. § 97.083 (1984); Texas Natural Death Act, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann., art. 4590h-Section 4(c) (Vernon Supp. 1989); Utah Personal Choice and Living Will Act, Utah Code Ann.§ 75-2-1105(2) (Supp. 1988); Virginia Natural Death Act, Va. Code § 54:1–2986 (1988); Va. Code § 37.1–134.4 (Supp. 1989); District of Columbia Health Care Decisions Act, D.C. Code Ann. § 21–2210 (1989).

See e.g. McConnell v. Beverly Enterprises, 209 Conn. 692, 553 A.2d 596 (1989); Corbett v. D'Alessandro, 487 So. 2d 368 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.), Review Denied, 492 So. 2d 1331 (Fla. 1986); Brophy v. New England Sinai Hospital, Inc. 398 Mass. 417, 497 N.E. 2d 616 (1986); In re Jobes, 108 N.J. 394, 529 A.2d 434 (1987); Gray v. Romero, 697 F. Supp. 580 (DRT 1988).

See e.g. In re Jobes, 108 N.J. 394, 529 A.2d 434 (1987).

President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioural Research, Deciding to Forego Life-Sustaining Treatment, 132–134; see also, In re Quinlan, 70 N.J. 10, 41, 355 A. 2d 647, 664 (1985).

Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health , 497 U.S. ____. 111 L. Ed 2d 224, ____, 110 S. Ct. 2841, 2843 (1990).

16 Cruzan v. Harmon, 760 S.W. 2d 408 (1988).

17 In re Jobes, 108 N.J. 364, 529 A.2d 434, (1987).

See e.g., In re Jobes, 108 N.J. 394, 415, 529 A. 2d 434, 444 (1987).

Arkansas Rights of the Terminally Ill or Permanently Unconscious Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 20-17-214 (Supp. 1987); Connecticut Removal of Life Support Systems Act, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-571 (Supp. 1989); Florida Life Prolonging Procedure Act, Fla. Stat. Ann. § 765.07 (H.B. 513 enacted June 30, 1990); Hawaii Medical Treatment Decisions Act, Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 327D-21 (Supp. 1988), as interpreted by In re Guardianship of Crabtree, No. 86-0031 (Hawaii Fa. Ct. 1st Cir. April 26, 1990) (Heeley, J.); Iowa Life Sustaining Procedures Act, Iowa Code Ann. § 144A.7 (1989); Louisiana Declarations concerning Life-Sustaining Procedures Act, La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1299.58.5 (West Supp. 1989); Maine Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act [1985, 1990], Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 18a, §§ 5–701 to -714 (H.B. 1497 Signed April 17, 1990); New Mexico Right to Die Act, N.M. Stat. Ann. § 24-7-8.1 (1986); North Carolina Right to Natural Death Act, N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 90–322 (1985); Oregon Rights with Respect to Terminal Illness Act, Or. Rev. Stat. § 97.083 (1984); Texas Natural Death Act, Tex. Rev. Cit. Stat. Ann., art. 4590h-Section 4(c) (Vernon Supp. 1988); Virginia Natural Death Act, Va. Code 54:1–2986 (1988); Va. Code § 37.1–134.4 (Supp. 1989); District of Columbia Health Care Decisions Act, D.C. Code Ann. § 21–2210 (1989).

See e.g., Rassmussen v. Fleming, 154 Ariz. 207, 741 P.2d 674 (1987).

Superintendent of Belchertown State School v. Saikewicz, 373 Mass 728, 370 N.E. 2d 417 (1977).

See e.g. Hastings Center, Guidelines on the Termination of Life-Sustaining Treatment and the Care of the Dying (1987); President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, Deciding to Forego Life-Sustaining Treatment (1983).

Dresser, “Life, Death, and Incompetent Patients: Conceptual Infirmities and Hidden Values in the Law,” 28 Ariz. L. Rev. 373, 387 (1986).

Id. at 390–393.

In re Guardianship of Hamlin, 102 Wash. 2d 810, 689 P.2d 1372 (1984); In re Hallock, No. 88381 (Me. P. Ct. Kennebec County Sept. 26, 1988).

Sherman , “Bioethics Debate,” N.L.J., May 13, 1991, p. 30, col. 1.

In re Quinlan, 70 N.J. 10, 41–42, 355 A 2d 647, 664 (1976).

In re Quinlan, 70 N.J. 10, 355 A 2d 647, diverged in part, In re Conroy, 98 N.J. 321, 486 A. 2d 1209, (1985).

In re Conroy, 98 N.J. 321, 362, 486 A. 2d 1209, 1230, (1985).

Areen , “Advanced Directives under State Law and Judicial Decisions,” Law, Medicine & Health Care 19:1–2 (This issue).

Society for the Right to Die, Living Will Legislation in the United States (1990).

South Dakota Living Will Act, S.B. 210 (signed March 14, 1991).

Society for the Right to Die, State Law Governing Durable Power of Attorney—Health Care Agents—Proxy Appointments (1990).

California Statutory Form Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1984, 1985, 1989, 1990], Cal. Civil Code §§ 2430 to 2444 (West Supp. 1990 & A.B. 835, ch. 331, July 18, 1990); District of Columbia Health-Care Decisions Act of 1988 [1988], D.C. Code Ann. §§ 21–2201 50 -2213 (1989); Florida Durable Power of Attorney Act [1974, 1977, 1983, 1988, 1990], Fla. Stat. Ann. 709.08 (Supp. 1990); Health Care Surrogate Act, Fla. Stat. Ann §§ 745.41 to -.52 (Supp. 1990); Georgia Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1990], Ga. Code §§ 31-36-1 to -13 (Supp. 1990); Illinois Powers of Attorney for Health Care Act [1987, 1988], Ill Ann. Stat. ch. 110 1/2, §§ 804–1 to -11 (Smith-Hurd 1989); Iowa Power of Attorney Act [1975], Iowa Code §§ 633.705 to -.706 (Supp. 1989), health care decisions authorized by Iowa Life-sustaining Procedures Act, § 144A.7(a) (1989); Indiana Powers of Attorney Act, S.B. 237 (signed May, 15 1991); Kansas Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions Act [1989], Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58–625 to -632 (Supp. 1989); Kentucky Health Care Surrogate Act [1990], Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 311.970 to -.986 (Supp. 1990); Maine Powers of Attorney Act [1986], Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 18-A, § 5–501 (Supp. 1989); Massachusetts Health Care Proxy by Individuals Act, Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 201D (H.B. 5906, signed Dec. 18, 1990); Michigan Power of Attorney for Health Care Act, Mich. Comp. Laws, §§ 496.1 to -.23 (H.B. 4016, signed December 18, 1990); Mississippi Durable Power of Attorney for health Care Act [1990], Miss. Code Ann. §§ 41-41-151 to -183 (Supp. 1990); Missouri Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Mo. Ann. State §§ 404.710 to -.865 (S.B. 148, signed May 17, 1991), Nevada Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1987], Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 449.800 to -.860 (Supp. 1989); New Hampshire Durable Power of Attorney for health Care Act, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 137-J;1 to -J:16 (S.B. 66, signed May 20, 1991; New York Health Care Proxy Act [1990], N.Y. Pub. Health Law §§ 2980 to 2994 (S.B. 6176-A, signed July 22, 1990); North Dakota Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care Act [1991], H.B. 1384 (signed April 16, 1991); Ohio Power of Attorney Act for Health Care [1989], Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 1337.11 to -.17 (Anderson 1989); Oregon Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1989], Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 127.505 to -.585 (1990); Rhode Island Health care Power of Attorney Act [1986, 1989], R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23–4.10–1 to 2 (1989); South Carolina Powers of Attorney Act [1986, 1990], S.C. Code Ann. §§ 62-5-501 to 502 (Law Co-op Supp. 1990); South Dakota Durable Powers of Attorney Act [1977, 1979, 1990], S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §§ 59-7-2.1 to -2.8 (Supp. 1990); Tennessee Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care [1990], Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 34-6-101 to -214 (Supp. 1990); Texas Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1989], Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. tit. 71, ch. 20, art. 4590h-1 (Vernon Supp. 1990); Vermont Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care Act [1987], Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, ch. 121, §§ 3451 to 3467 (Supp. 1988); West Virginia Medical Power of Attorney Act [1990], W. Va. Code §§ 16–30a-1 to -20 (Supp. 1990); Wisconsin Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1990], 1989 Wis. Act 200 (H.B. 305 signed April 12, 1990); Wyoming Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act [1991], Wyo. Stat. §§ 3-5-201 to -214 (H.B. 300, signed March 4, 1991).

Alaska Statutory Form Power of Attorney Act [1988], Alaska Stat. §§ 13.26.332 to 13.26.252 (Supp. 1990); Colorado Powers of Attorney Act [1963], Colo. Rev. Stat. §§15-14-501 TO -502 (1987), as interpreted by In re Rodas, No. 86PR139 (Colo. Dist. Ct. Mesa County Jan. 22, 1987, as modified, April 3, 1987) (Buss, J.); Connecticut Statutory Short Form Durable Power of Attorney Act, Pub. Act 90–71 (H.B. 5117, signed May 4, 1990); Louisiana Life-Sustaining Procedures Act [1984, 1985, 1990], La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 40:1299.58.1 to -.10 (Supp. 1989 & S.B. 652, signed July 18, & H.B. 714, Signed July 29, 1990); New Mexico Durable Power of Attorney Act [1989], N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 45-5-501 to -502 (Supp. 1989); North Carolina Power of Attorney Act [1983], N.C. Stat. §§ 32A-8 to -14 (1987); Pennsylvania Durable Powers of Attorney Act [1982], Pa. Stat. Ann. tit. 20, §§ 5604 to 5607 (Supp. 1989); Washington Durable Power of Attorney—Health Care Decisions Act [1989], Wash. Rev. Code Ann. 11.94.010 (Supp. 1989).

Society for the Right to Die, Right-to-Die Case and Statutory Citation: State-by-State Listing (1990).

E.g., 73 Opinions of the Maryland Attorney General ____ [Opinion No. 88-048 (October 17, 1988)]; 75 Opinions of the Maryland Attorney General ____ [Opinion No. 90-044 (September 24, 1990)].; Oklahoma: Virginia: ____ Opinions of the Attorney General ____ (Sept. 18, 1990).

See e.g., In re Jobes, 108 N.J. 394, 529 A.2d 434 (1987); In re Conservatorship of Drabick, 200 Cal. App. 3d 185, 245 Cal. Rptr. 840 (Cal. Ct. App. 1988), cert. denied 102 L. Ed 2d 387, 109 S.Ct. 399 (1988) rehearing denied 102 L. Ed. 2d 816, 109S. Ct. 828 (1989); Arkansas Right of the Terminally Ill or Permanently Unconscious Act, 20-17-214 (Supp. 1987); District of Columbia Health Care Decisions Act, D.C. Code Ann. §§ 21–2210 (1989).

E.g., In re Longway, 133 Ill. 2d 33, 599 N.E.2d 292 (1989) and a Maryland act requiring judicial review of a guardian's decision to withhold or withdraw medical treatment, S.B. 735 (signed May 29, 1990).

E.g., Colorado Medical Treatment Decision Act, Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-18-104 (1987 & Supp. 1989); Hawaii Medical Treatment Decisions Act, Hawaii Rev. Stat. 327D-3(5) (Supp. 1988).

E.g., Illinois Living Will Act, Ill. Ann. Stat. Ch. 1101/2, § 702(d) (Supp. 1989).

In re Guardianship of Browning, No. 74, 174 (Fla. Sept. 13, 1990); Florida Life-Prolonging Procedure Act, Fla. Stat. Ann. § 765.03 (H.B. 513 enacted June 30, 1990); Florida Nursing Home and Related Facilities Licensure, Fla. Admin. Code, § 10D-29.110 (5)(a); In re Guardianship of Barry, 445 So. 2d 365 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1984) (Scheb, J.).

See e.g. Corbett v. D'Alessandro 487 Co. 2d 368 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.), review denied 492 So. 2d 1331 (Fla. 1986).

Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, 497 U.S. at ____, 111 L. Ed. 2d at 251, 110 S.Ct. at 2859 (1990).

Id. at 2852–2855 (1990).

Id. at 2852, 2856–2857 (1990).

Id. at 2857 (1990).

Id. at 2853 (1990).

New York Health Care Proxy Act [1990] N.Y. Pub. Health Law §§ 2980 to 2994 (S.B. 6176-A, signed July 22, 1990.

Massachusetts Health Care Proxy by Individuals Act, Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 201D (H.B. 5906, signed Dec. 18, 1990).

Michigan Power of Attorney for Health Care Act, Mich. Comp. Laws, §§ 496.1 to ____.23 (H.B. 4016, signed December 18, 1990).

New Hampshire Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act, N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 137-J; 1 to -J:16 (S.B. 66, signed May 20, 1991

Missouri Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Mo. Ann. Stat. §§ 404.710 to -.865 (S.B. 148, signed May 17, 1991).

Iowa Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act, Iowa Code Ann. §§ 144B.1 to -.9 (H.B. 501, signed May 8, 1991)

Virginia (H.B. 1615, signed March 25, 1991); West Virginia (S.B. 416, signed March 28, 1991). [& if passed: Hawaii, New Hampshire, South Carolina].

See e.g. S.B. 1211 in New Jersey.

See e.g. Pennsylvania bar and medical associations' support for current bill; Aptel, “Your Pennsylvania Living Will: Don't Leave Home Without It In 1991!” Pennsylvania Bar Association Quarterly (January 1991).

Arkansas Rights of the Terminally Ill or Permanently Unconscious Act [1987], Ark. Code Ann. §§ 20-17-201 to -218 (Supp. 1989).

In re Busalacchi, No. 59582 (Mo. Ct. App. Eastern Div. March 5, on appeal, No.____ (Mo. 1991).

See e.g. “Medical Center, patient's family at odds in unusual 'right to die' case,” Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dec. 13, 1990, p. 1.

Rasmussen v. Fleming, 154 Ariz. 207, 741 P.2d 674 (1987).

Practice guidelines have also been suggested recently as helpful in other contexts. See e.g. Rockefeller , “A Call for Action, The Pepper Commission's Blueprint for Health Care Reform,” JAMA 1991; 265:2507, 2509; Bronow , “The Physicians Who Care Plan, Preserving Quality and Equitability in American Medicine.” JAMA 1991; 265:2511, 2514.

See e.g. Annas , “Health Care Proxy and the Living Will,” 324 N.E.J.M. 1210 (1991).

Patient Self Determination Act [1990], OBRA of 1990 § 4206 and § 4751.

See e.g. Pennsylvania bar and medical associations' support for current bill; Aptel, “Your Pennsylvania Living Will: Don't Leave Home Without It In 1991!” Pennsylvania Bar Association Quarterly (January 1991).

Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act [1985, 1987, 1989], § 1–18, 9A U.L.A.456 (Supp. 1990).

See e.g. Arkansas Rights of the Terminally Ill or Permanently Unconscious Act [1987], Ark. Code Ann. §§ 20-17-201 to -218 (Supp. 1989); Maine Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act [1985, 1990], Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 18-A, §§ 5–701 to -714 (H.B. 1497 signed April 17, 1990); Montana Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, Mont. Code Ann. §§ 50-9-101 to -104, -201 to -206 (1987 & H.B. 635, signed April 8, 1991) & H.B. 635 §§ 11 to 16 (signed April 8, 1991);Nevada Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 449.540 to -.690 (1986 & Supp. 1988 & S.B. 442, signed, 1991).

Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act § 2(b).

Id., § 2(c)

Id., § 2(d)

Id., § 7

Id, § (d)(e)

Id, § 1(9). The act prohibits withholding or withdrawing life sustaining care pursuant to a declaration from an individual known to the attending physician to be pregnant so long as it is possible that the fetus will develop to the point of live birth with continued application of life sustaining treatment. URTIA § 6.

See e.g. Delaware Death with Dignity Act [1982, 1983], Del. Code Ann. tit. 16, §§ 2501 to 2509 (1983); Utah Personal Choice and Living Will Act [1985, 1988], Utah code Ann. §§ 75-2-1101 to -1118 (Supp. 1990).

Communication with John McCabe, Director, National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.

Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, § 1(4), see also Comment for this section.

Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, § 6(b), see also Comment for this section.

Massachusetts Health Care Proxy by Individuals Act, Mass Gen Laws ch. 201D (H.B. 5906, signed Dec. 18, 1990.

New York State Task Force on Life and the Law, “Life-Sustaining Treatment: Making Decisions and Appointing a Health Care Agent,” July, 1987.

Massachusetts Health Care Proxy by Individuals Act, Mass Gen Laws ch. 201D, § 2,5.

Id, § 6

Id, § 5

Id, § 11

Id, § 14

Id, § 15

Id, § 15(b)

Meeting of Legal Advisors Committee, Concern for Dying, April 7, 1991.