On Sunday a Fort Worth, Texas, court ordered a local hospital to take a woman off life support after a prolonged court battle between the woman's family and hospital officials. The family wanted to follow the woman's end-of-life wishes and take her off life support, while the hospital refused.
The hospital did have a legal standpoint, however: She was pregnant. Marlise Munoz was 14 weeks pregnant when she was found unconscious in her home; after being revived in the hospital she was pronounced brain dead. According to Texas state law, hospitals are required to continue to "maintain life-sustaining treatment for a pregnant patient."
The judge's ruling against the law brings up the constitutional concept of judicial review, as the Texas court has found that the laws violates the will of the family and of the deceased. Although it did not rule on the constitutionality of such a law, the court is gearing up for a lengthy debate.
The hospital did have a legal standpoint, however: She was pregnant. Marlise Munoz was 14 weeks pregnant when she was found unconscious in her home; after being revived in the hospital she was pronounced brain dead. According to Texas state law, hospitals are required to continue to "maintain life-sustaining treatment for a pregnant patient."
The judge's ruling against the law brings up the constitutional concept of judicial review, as the Texas court has found that the laws violates the will of the family and of the deceased. Although it did not rule on the constitutionality of such a law, the court is gearing up for a lengthy debate.