X-Message-Number: 23021 From: "Basie" <> Subject: Palliative care Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 22:44:19 -0500 "Another dilemma revolves around the request for the continuance of palliative care. Palliative care by definition includes the administering of pain-killing drugs. It is widely acknowledged that the effect of large dosages of pain-killers may hasten death. As a result, many doctors fail to supply an adequate dosage that would relieve the pain and suffering, for fear of being held criminally liable should the dosage be found to have hastened the patient's death. In our situation, the hastening of a person's death, 'if it was done unlawfully and with the necessary intention', would constitute murder." Is the definition for palliative care the same in all US states? Basie Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=23021