Assignment Description:
Diana, a 28-year-old woman, experience complications after surgery and is now in a coma state. Prior to her surgery, Diana signed a living will to indicate that she did not want to be kept on life support systems if she went into a coma. The physician caring for Diana believes that she may not remain in this condition and does not want to remove the life support. Diana's parents want the life support removed as that is what their daughter wanted to be done. They are suing the hospital for malpractice and asking for $36 million for their daughter's pain and suffering and for ongoing medical expenses. The parents claim the hospital is overriding Diana's wishes so that they can make more money from her care.
1. How are advanced directives involved in rationing healthcare as resources dwindle?
2. Should the judge ?nd for the plaintiffs and order the life support removed, or should the judge ?nd for the defendants and allow the physician to maintain life support measures? Explain.