The Uniform Rights of the Terminally Ill Act (1985, revised 1989), has been recommended as a Uniform Act in the United States, and subsequently been passed by many states. The law allows a person to declare a living will specifying that, if the situation arises, he or she does not wish to be kept alive through life support if terminally ill or in a coma. The patient may also obtain a health care power of attorney. This power of attorney appoints an agent to make medical decision for the patient in case the patient becomes incompetent.
Many people make use of this act because they do not wish to endure any pain or suffering if weakened by a fatal disease. They want to "die with dignity," so that family members will not have to go through emotional pain of watching their loved one sleep through many years of life with no response to any stimuli.
This form of death is known as passive euthanasia, where death is not inflicted with drugs, but is allowed by cutting off life support.
Famous quotes containing the words uniform, rights, ill and/or act:
“Thus for each blunt-faced ignorant one
The great grey rigid uniform combined
Safety with virtue of the sun.
Thus concepts linked like chainmail in the mind.”
—Thom Gunn (b. 1929)
“Assumptions of male superiority are as widespread and deep rooted and every bit as crippling to the woman as the assumptions of white supremacy are to the Negro.... this is no more a mans world than it is a white world.”
—Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, African American civil rights organization. SNCC Position Paper (Women in the Movement)
“the ache here in the throat,
To know that I so ill deserve the place
Her arms make for me;”
—James Whitcomb Riley (18491916)
“You know you dont have to act with me, Steve. You dont have to say anything, and you dont have to do anything. Not a thing. Oh, maybe just whistle. You know how to whistle, dont you, Steve? You just put your lips together, and blow.”
—Jules Furthman (18881960)