Cruzan v Harmon, and In the Matter of O'Connor. Two anomalies.

Two recent court cases, Cruzan v Harmon and In the Matter of O'Connor, denied family requests to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment. The facts of the cases are discussed, as well as the impact on medical practice for physicians in Missouri and New York. Approaches of other state courts are pointed out. While critical of the judicial reasoning in both cases, the article provides guidance to doctors about how to work within the court decisions and still honor patient wishes.