Dec. 1984 – American Medical Association Supports Withholding or Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Medical Treatment in Certain Circumstances

The American Medical Association publishes two reports, “Withholding or Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Medical Treatment, and “Withholding or Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Medical Treatment — Patients’ Preferences.” The reports detail the American Medical Association’s formal position that with informed consent, a physician can withhold or withdraw treatment from a patient who is close to death, and may also discontinue life support of a patient in a permanent coma.