Clarity touted in end-of-life bill
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
Legislative debate becomes emotional
Thomas Goldsmith, Staff Writer After an emotional debate Monday night, the House sent Gov. Mike Easley a bill designed to allow North Carolinians more detailed choices in the documents that control the way they die.
Proponents said the bill, if made law, would clear contradictions between existing laws, provide a more detailed version of the "do not resuscitate" form, and make clear whether a medical document or legal "power of attorney" form has priority when a patient or family members have to make decisions.
The House passed the bill on a 68-48 vote at 10 p.m., with Rep. Deborah Ross, D-Wake, taking the lead on the bill for its Senate sponsor, Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Concord.
"It will do a lot to help families deal with very, very difficult issues at end of life," Ross said as nearly two hours of debate began.
"This bill is really very simple," said supporter Rep. Martha Alexander, D-Mecklenburg. "This bill is clarifying things that are in the law now."
The legislation is the result of more than two years of work by broad-based groups led by the state’s bar and medical associations. But that’s part of the problem, said Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange. (more…)
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