Department of law and ethics

Abstract

Elizabeth Bouvia and the California Courts are giving continuity to “Law and Ethics”. Superior Court Judge Jack Newman appointed two physicians, D. H. Catlin and D. A. Gorelick, to evaluate the differences of opinion on Ms. Bouvia's medical management. Their report said in part that she “has not received comprehensive pain control treatment and that she had not received any help in dealing with the 'psychological and social aspects of pain control'” (1). They also said that she had a poor relationship with her doctor and the staff. Given this report, Judge Newman had her removed to University of Southern California Medical Center until she could find a private facility comfortable enough with her situation to treat her as she wishes. Just as important to Bouvia, the judge ordered the physicians to continue her morphine treatment. (The doctors at High Desert had decided that she ought to be weaned from her morphine treatment.)