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Bioethics Keyed to Clark, 9th Ed.
Bouvia v. Superior Court
Citation:
225 Cal. Rptr. 297 (Cal. Ct. App. 1986)Facts
Elizabeth Bouvia was a 28-year-old woman with severe cerebral palsy who was quadriplegic and bedridden. She suffered from degenerative arthritis and constant pain that required morphine for relief. She was completely dependent on others for all her basic needs, including feeding, cleaning, and toileting. Despite her physical limitations, she was mentally competent and had earned a college degree. After her husband left her and her parents could no longer care for her, she was admitted to a Los Angeles County public hospital. When medical staff determined she was not consuming sufficient nutrients orally, they inserted a nasogastric feeding tube against her express written instructions. The hospital maintained that without the tube, her weight loss would reach life-threatening levels, and with proper feeding, she could live an additional 15-20 years. Bouvia sought judicial intervention to have the tube removed, asserting her right to refuse medical treatment.
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