Doctors Remove Schiavo's Feeding Tube

Doctors removed Terri Schiavo's feeding tube today despite an extraordinary, last-minute effort by congressional Republicans to save the severely disabled woman.

By Kenneth Chan, Friday, March 18, 2005

Doctors removed Terri Schiavo's feeding tube today despite an extraordinary, last-minute effort by congressional Republicans to save the severely disabled woman.

In a statement issued on their Web site, Schiavo’s family confirmed that the tube had been disconnected for the third time since the 41-year old collapsed at her home in 1990, falling into what some doctors consider a persistent vegetative state. The tube has twice been removed in the past, but was re-inserted within days in both cases.

Friday’s removal came after extraordinary last-minute efforts by Schiavo's parents, state lawmakers and Congress to keep her alive. Hours before today’s scheduled removal of the tube, a House Committee began issuing congressional subpoenas to stop doctors from disconnecting her feeding tube and the Senate Health Committee issued subpoenas requesting that Terri and her husband, Michael, appear at an official committee hearing on March 28.

Pinellas Circuit Court Judge David Demers on Friday also temporarily blocked the removal of Schiavo’s feeding tube, delaying his fellow judge George Greer’s order to begin the starvation process by 1 p.m. EST the same day.

But Greer, the presiding judge of the case, later refused the request from House attorneys to delay the removal, stating he "had no cogent reason why the (congressional) committee should intervene."

Outside Schiavo's hospice, about 30 people keeping vigil dropped to their knees in prayer when word spread of the judge's ruling calling for removal of the tube.

"What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus," they sang, as reported by the Associated Press. Messages on protest signs included "Impeach Greer.com," a reference to the judge, and "Execution — It's Not Just for the Guilty Anymore."

It is expected that it will take one to two weeks for Schiavo to die, provided no one intercedes and gets the tube reinserted.

In Washington, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) told reporters that removal of the tube amounted to "barbarism."

"Terry Schiavo is alive. She's as alive as you and I. As such, we have a moral obligation to protect and defend her," said DeLay, as reported by AP. "This is not over."

Howard Simon of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who is working with Michael's attorneys, also said the battle was not over despite the tube's removal.

"It's premature to say this thing is over or it's coming to an end," he told the Miami Herald newspaper.

Meanwhile, an attorney for the House of Representatives said a motion has been filed to appeal Judge Greer's ruling with a Florida appeals court and the Florida Supreme Court.