Gov. Jeb Bush used a special law passed by the Legislature to have Terri Schiavo's feeding restored.
By Associated Press
Published October 29, 2003
WASHINGTON - Gov. Jeb Bush did the right thing earlier this month in ordering Terri Schiavo's feeding tube reinserted, his older brother said Tuesday.
"I believe my brother made the right decision," President Bush said in response to a reporter's question at a news conference.
Michael Schiavo, the husband of 39-year-old Schiavo, had the feeding tube removed with a court's approval. Six days later, on Oct. 21, Gov. Bush used a special law passed by the Legislature to have the tube reinserted.
Schiavo's husband, who has been battling his in-laws for years to carry out what he says is his wife's wish not to be kept alive artificially, is challenging the constitutionality of the state law in a brief due today in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court.
Terri Schiavo suffered severe brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped. Some medical experts have testified she is in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery; others disagree. Her parents have argued their daughter could improve with therapy.
The Florida governor, in St. Augustine for a Capital for a Day event Tuesday, stood by his decision. He said Terri Schiavo should at least have therapy to determine if she can eat on her own.
"It is very hard for me to sit by idly and allow someone to starve to death," he said. "Life is precious and we need to have a high standard before we make these decisions."
The Schiavo controversy prompted Sen. Bill Nelson to announce Tuesday that he plans to introduce legislation that will expand Medicare to cover a single doctor's visit during which end-of-life treatments can be discussed.
The bill also would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a $25-million public education campaign "alerting adults of all ages about their health care options should they not be able to communicate." It would be modeled after similar education campaigns about organ donation.
He said that while his legislation is primarily aimed at those 65 and older, the current debate could have been avoided if Terri Schiavo had signed a living will.
