March 1, 2010
In November, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a revised ethical and religious directive. It states in part that Catholic health facilities have “an obligation to provide patients with food and water, including medically assisted nutrition and hydration for those who cannot take food orally.”
A Tulsa hospital is learning how this directives may play out: Catholic directive may thwart end-of-life wishes Bishops cite 'obligation’ for using feeding tubes at religious facilities