Concern about end-of-life choices

To the editor:

In Missouri, a feeding tube can be removed if a patient has appointed another person to make medical decisions or has signed a legal form refusing such a measure. A bill filed by state Rep. Cynthia Davis (House Bill 905) would take away a legal guardian's right to remove a patient's feeding tube. This bill would limit a family's decision about end-of-life treatment.

Davis told the Kansas City Star: "If you're not comfortable with this standard, you're free to move to another state." A state representative has an obligation to try to do what is in the best interest of the majority of the people. Many people are not free to move to another state. Some of them are in nursing homes. Some of them are too poor. Because of the deep cuts to Medicaid funding, (Davis voted for the cuts) families will be saddled with the fear of how to pay for long-term care and whether the state will interfere with personal end-of-life decisions.

It's not about what's best for Missouri. It's about move if you don't like it. It's not about families being free to make their own choices. It's about the state making those choices for us. It's not about getting government off our backs. It's all about enabling government to get into every aspect our lives. It's not about cutting taxes. It's about placing the burden on those least able to bear it. In other words, it is about hypocrisy run rampant.

CHERYL HIBBELER, O'Fallon, Mo.