Louisiana to Limit Liberty over Health Care Decisions

A few months ago, I predicted that the publicity of the Marlise Munoz case would prompt some legislative action.  Specificially, I thought that other states would remove Texas-type limitations in healthcare decisions acts that restrict the liberty of pregnant patients to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment.  But at least in Louisiana things are moving in the opposite direction.



H.B. 348 (and here is the legislative digest) would require doctors and hospitals to use life support to keep a brain-dead pregnant woman alive until the birth of her child, no matter her family's wishes.  Representative Badon introduced the bill.  This week, the House Health and Welfare Committee backed the proposal without objection.  The measure now moves to the full House for consideration.