Federal Policy Regarding End-of-Life Decisions (IN: Euthanasia: the Good of the Patient, the Good of Society, ed. by R I Misbin)

This chapter explores the American federal government’s involvement in death & dying by examining legislation in these areas. In 1990, Congress passed the Patient Self-Determination Act, the first piece of federal legislation dealing with end-of-life decisions. An exploration of the process involved in the passage of the act will provide some perspective on the direction, & on the wisdom, of future congressional action in this area. (35 refs.)