News-Leader.com | True Ozarks
Published Monday, April 11, 2005

GOP bills try to inject government where it doesn't belong

The Terri Schiavo case has led to the filing of three bills in the Missouri legislature, only one of which has any merit.

All were filed by Republicans, who used to be the party of limited government. Yet two of the bills would insinuate government into affairs best left to families.

A bill filed by Sen. John Loudon, R-Ballwin, would require courts to give custody to someone willing to continue care for an incapacitated patient who has not signed an advance directive. Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O'Fallon, would make it a felony to withhold or withdraw food or water from that patient.

Both ignore real-world realities about who makes out a living will. They would substitute legislative decree for the intimate knowledge of spouses and parents. That shouldn't be the role of government. Families should decide whether their loved ones' wishes are honored by keeping a feeding tube inserted or removing it.

The only bill that merits any attention is one filed by Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph. It attempts to avoid the Florida circus by listing whom doctors should consult when there is no advanced directive or durable power of attorney. It sets the pecking order as a spouse, adult child, parent, sibling and, finally, a close friend. It referees a potential dispute, but leaves the most important decisions to a family member.

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