End-of-Life Care Rules Spark Debate for Catholic Hospitals
On Nov. 17, 2009, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a directive instructing Catholic hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and nurses to provide life-sustaining food, water and medicine to comatose patients who likely will not emerge from their comas. The rule has stirred debate about what the rule means for patients' end-of-life care wishes.
- "New Catholic Mandate on Comatose Patients" (Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 1/3).