Who should decide when care is futile?

Who should decide when care is futile? | Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/19/2010: Ruben Betancourt died on May 29, 2009. Last week, a New Jersey appellate court declined to rule on the heated dispute that had broken out between his family and a North Jersey hospital over stopping his medical care prior to his death. It's not often that the nonruling of a court holds national significance. But the state Appellate Division's punt in this case merits our attention.

Editor: It is unconscionable that a hospital whose carelessness caused this terrible situation should also be allowed to determine the value of continuing treatment. Also, this case shows that people die on life-support. Maintaining life-support does not necessarily "needlessly prolonging life."