HALACHIC MEDICAL DIRECTIVE
Agudath Israel of America
212-797-9000 ext 335 (Constituent Services Department)
The prevailing attitudes in the sphere of end-of-life issues is of deep concern to Orthodox Jews throughout the United States.
A patient who can no longer make medical decisions may have family members with differing opinions about end-of-life care. Some of these family members may opt for decisions that re in violation of halacha, such as removing a patient from life support or stopping nutrition and hydration.
Complicating the decision making process is the financial crisis, as a result of which insurance companies and hospitals are increasingly making decisions based on cost effectiveness rather than to benefit the patient, especially if patients are elderly or suffering from end-stage diseases.
Hospitals throughout the country are now pressuring family members to sign DNRs (Do Not Resuscitate Orders) and to enter hospice programs to receive palliative care instead of medical treatment. These decisions are often contrary to halachah.
The dangers continue even after death, when hospitals may request an autopsy or a non religious close relative may opt for cremation.
As a result of these dangers, Agudath Israel of America has launched a national campaign to encourage every Jew in the U. S. and Canada to sign a Halachic Medical Directive. This directive is designed to ensure that if the signer become incapacitated, all medical and post-death decisions made by others on his or her behalf will be made in accordance with Jewish law.
The person signing the directive appoints a family member or trusted friend to make health-care decisions on his/her behalf in case he/she becomes incapacitated, and provides the name of a Rabbi with whom this family member will consult to make medical decisions.
To get a copy of the Halachic Medical Directive, please call the Constituent Services Department of Agudath Israel at 212-797-9000 ext 335. New York or New Jersey residents can email the addresses above to request a form.