Ethics Article: Board of Directors Resolution - Faith Regional Health Services

Mission & Ethics

Resolution of the Board of Directors of Faith Regional Health Services

WHEREAS, the ethical issue of physician assisted suicide (physician aid in dying) is ubiquitous as it gains national attention through the work of Dr. Jack Kevorkian of Michigan; and

WHEREAS, the Physician-Aid-in-Dying Act (LB 406) was recently brought forward for legislative committee action in the Nebraska Unicameral; and

WHEREAS, the Ethics Committee of Faith Regional Health Services recommends that the Faith Regional Health Services Board of Directors address this issue; and

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 2.1.(a) of the Faith Regional Health Services Alliance Agreement states that "[health related] services will be provided in a spirit of partnership with the community and in an environment consistent with the values and principles of Lutheran Community Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital . . . and a manner consistent with Christ’s love; respecting the life and dignity of each person without discrimination"; and

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 2.2.(b)(iii) of the Alliance Agreement states that "no life-terminating procedures (including, without limitation, abortion and euthanasia) shall be performed at either the Lutheran Community Hospital Facility or the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Facility or at any other facility owned, operated or managed by Faith Regional Health Services"; and

WHEREAS, Article III(b) of the Articles of Incorporation of Faith Regional Health Services identifies one of the purposes of the Corporation is "To deliver such [health care related] services in a manner consistent with Christ’s love, respecting the life and dignity of each person without discrimination, and in a manner consistent with the tradition, teachings and Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church, the Constitutions and directives of the religious congregation of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Facilities promulgated by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and wit the philosophy, teachings and practices of the Lutheran Church"; and

WHEREAS, physician aid in dying and physician assisted suicide violate the philosophy, teachings and practices of both the Roman Catholic Church and Lutheran Church; and

WHEREAS, it would behoove the Faith Regional Health Services Board of Directors to address these growing ethical issues and state it official position for the benefit of Faith Regional Health Services patients, patient family members, the medical community and the community at large,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Board of Directors (the "Governing Board") of Faith Regional Health Services of Norfolk, Nebraska as follows:

Section 1. The Governing Board respects and upholds the philosophy, teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church regarding the respect for life and the dignity of every human person, born and unborn, regardless of age and gender.

Section 2. The Governing Board forbids the practice of any procedure intended to terminate life, including physician assisted suicide, abortion and euthanasia at any facility owned, operated or managed by Faith Regional Health Services.

Section 3. The Governing Board supports continuing education for the medical and hospital staff which provides treatment alternatives consistent with the philosophy and values of Faith Regional Health Services in providing for the medical, social and spiritual needs of patients who may consider physician assisted suicide.

Section 4. The Governing Board supports educational and informational efforts to address these and other ethical issues within the community at large.

ADOPTED THIS 28th DAY OF APRIL, 1997
Fred Otten, President
Faith Regional Health Services Board of Directors

ATTEST:

Marcus Wacker, Secretary
Faith Regional Health Services Board of Directors

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