Bouvia v. Supreme Court (CA)

Definition: The California Court of Appeal ruled on June 5, 1986 that a patient in a public hospital was entitled to making the decision to require the removal of a nasogastric tube which was inserted and maintained against her will and without her consent by physicians who sought to keep her alive through force feeding. The patient, Elizabeth Bouvia, was a 28-year-old quadriplegic with severe cerebral palsy. In reaching its decision, the court recognized that a patient who is mentally competent and understands the risks involved has a right to refuse treatment, and that the state's interest in preserving life does not outweigh this right.