title: Tube feeding and the permanently unconscious: the Supreme Court's decision in Cruzan.
abstract: In the recent case of Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, a majority of the United States Supreme Court voted to affirm a Missouri decision rejecting the request of guardians for removal of tubes used to provide nutrition and hydration to a woman in a persistent vegetative state. This article analyzes the Court's decision, focusing specifically on the concurring and dissenting opinions in the case, and discusses the implications of this decision for the states.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Rouse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003128:Coma; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008923:Missouri; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States