X-Message-Number: 904
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 1992 17:13 MST
From: 
Subject: CRYONICS

NEW ARIZONA LAW EXPANDS RIGHTS OF THE TERMINALLY ILL
An article in the June 14 issue of The Arizona Republic describes a new Arizona
law which allows a person to define ahead of time the medical procedures to be
used or avoided in case he suffers serious injury or illness and as a
result becomes unable to direct the course of his medical treatment.
House Bill 2247, signed into law by Gov. Symington on June 11, repeals a 1991
law dealing with living wills and replaces it with one that provides legal
protection to health workers who are carrying out the wishes of a patient. The
new measure allows a person to make a "pre-hospital directive" instructing his
health care providers to take certain actions, or avoid taking actions, in
attempting to resuscitate him. People will be able to wear special orange
bracelets that will alert emergency medical crews to the existence of such a
directive. The law provides for the creation of living wills and assignment of
medical power of attorney and greatly expands the options of terminally ill
patients. The bill specifically states, however, that it is not a euthanasia
law, and does not provide for suicide or mercy killing. Senator Stan Furman
(D-Glendale), a strong supporter of the new law, said that under the previous
measure "if you were brain dead, they could keep you alive forever." The bill
protects the rights of those who want to be kept alive by any means, whether

for relgious or personal reasons, and those who want to avoid such means. Under
HB2247, a person's living will supersedes the wishes of family members. Rep.
Susan Gerard (R-north Phoenix), the bill's primary sponsor, said that "You can
make one (a living will) out that says you want everything done to you. You can
be put in a freezer if you want."
I am obtaining a copy of the new law and will post more details on Cryonet as
they become available.-----Mark Voelker

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