Con
“The ‘Living Will’ Declaration is discouraged… for the following reasons…
It is a vague statement generally stating that a physician may withold or withdraw treatment if you are terminally ill or unconscious
It is a piece of paper medical professionals may choose to ignore or often misinterpret.
It can give blanket authority to a doctor you may or may not know, which is a serious concern in these days of managed care
It attempts to predict your preferences in often complex medical situations you cannot foresee by offering a narrow list of options that may be used to prohibit treatment you would want in a certain circumstance.
It allows ‘treatment’ to be defined by state law; in many states, medically assisted nutrition and hydration is considered medical treatment.
It may be used to justify the removal of life-sustaining interventions (ventilators, feeding tubes, etc.) for patients who are disabled, but not dying.”
Mar. 28, 2018