Reply #258: This law applies to the rational as well as the "insane"

[oldcoot]

Under Texas law, it does not matter if you are perfectly sane. The hospital, not the family members, makes the final decision in whether or not to terminate care and if you do not agree with their decision, you have a whole ten days to find another facility for your loved one. Considering that many long-care facilities have waiting lists, this might be difficult. Of course, the hospital is suppose to help you find a place for your loved one but if you are not fully aware of your legal rights, you may not get the help you need from the hospital.

While I am sure that many doctors do not take death lightly, I really do not think that most have an emotional bond with their patients. Frankly, many of them do not have the time to really get to know their patients. Indeed, if you are a member of an HMO, you are lucky if you even see a doctor for more than 10 minutes. The patients' families, with rare exceptions, are more likely to care about what happens to them and have the desire to do what is best for their loved ones. Indeed, hospitals are also usually businesses concerned about the bottom line. Moreover, insurance companies might even pressure hospitals to end the "suffering" of patients who require long-term care.