Update: via Facebook from Life Legal defense Foundation:
Thank you SO MUCH to all who showed up for Catie by getting the word out and calling the hospital. You are AMAZING! I learned a few minutes ago that the hospital is not going to remove Catie’s oxygen. They agreed to abide by her wishes and the wishes of her health care proxy to allow Catie to remain on oxygen. She is resting comfortably now. Thank you again! ❤️
Here is our official statement:
Reprieve for Catie: Hospital will not pull plug!
Yesterday, Life Legal reported that 64-year-old Catie Cassidy was threatened with removal of oxygen while receiving care at a Minnesota hospital. Without supplemental oxygen, Catie would have suffocated to death.
In response, Life Legal attorneys sent a demand letter letting the hospital know of its duties under Minnesota law.
We have received news today that Fairview Hospital in Edina is fully cooperating with Catie’s health care proxy and that they will continue to provide Catie with oxygen as needed.
We are grateful for the work of our Life Legal Minnesota team, especially attorneys Wayne Holstad and Craig Beuning of Holstad and Knaak, who intervened immediately on Catie’s behalf.
“Life Legal is pleased that Catie will receive the care she needs and that her wish to fight for her life as long as she can will be honored,” said Life Legal Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. “It is time for us to have a larger conversation about the inherent value of every human life and about our moral obligation to protect those who are most vulnerable.”
—————————————————-A Minnesota legal non-profit “Life Legal Minnesota Defense Foundation” is accusing Fairview Hospital in Edina of ending the life of 63-year old patient Catie Cassidy against her wishes.
The foundation has posted a video of Catie who is a lung cancer patient saying that she is not ready to die and can be heard clearly saying “I want to live”
Life Legal Defense Foundation is claiming to represent the health care agent of Catie Cassidy.
“I am appalled that a hospital would even consider withdrawing oxygen from a patient who has clearly communicated that she wants to live,” said Life Legal Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. “When asked if she wants her oxygen removed, Catie’s response was ‘NO! I want to live!’ Withdrawing Catie’s oxygen to cause her death is active euthanasia, which is illegal in Minnesota and every other state. We implore the hospital to do the right thing and provide the care Catie needs.”
Life Legal Minnesota attorney Craig Beuning is working on the case.
Fairview Health Services has posted a Facebook message claiming that the accusation are inaccurate.
“If you’ve heard or seen the inaccurate accusations about euthanasia at one of our hospitals, we’d like to address this directly:
Because of privacy laws, we cannot comment on a specific patient’s medical condition. We can share, however, how we address end-of-life care. End-of-life care is focused on comfort care during the dying process. We communicate closely with the patient or, if they are unable to participate in conversation, with their designated decision-maker if they have one. We do our best to honor the patient’s known wishes, whether those wishes are to prolong life or to stop treatment.
Euthanasia is illegal in the State of Minnesota, and our health system does not practice it.
It is always our goal to provide medically appropriate and ethical care and comfort to our patients with the utmost dignity and honor.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
