The Limits of a Wish

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When it was obvious that the family refused to file a petition on its own, the hospital filed papers with the Fourth Judicial District Court, Hennepin County, on 8 February 1991. The costs of Mrs. Wanglie's care are reimbursed by Medicare and Physicians' Health Plan, a private supplementary insurance plan. By the time this case was first heard in court on 28 May the costs for both hospitalizations (at HCMC) were approximately $800,000. The principal parties do not dispute most of the medical facts. The family accepts the diagnosis of persistent vegetative state and respirator dependence. The hospital is willing to let Mrs. Wanglie's family transfer her to another facility where she would continue to receive vigorous treatment, including respirator support. Both the hospital and the Wanglie family have made determined efforts to find another physician or health care facility in Minnesota willing to take Mrs. Wanglie in transfer. These efforts have, thus far, been unsuccessful, though other providers would be willing to care for her were she not respirator dependent. The hospital is seeking appointment of a conservator to represent the patient to decide whether continued treatment is appropriate. It is not directly requesting the court to discontinue treatment immediately over the objections of the family. In seeking court involvement, the hospital and its ethics committee are aware that there has never before been a case in the United States of a