Thaddeus Mason Pope (@thaddeuspope) Bsky

Advance Directive Pregnancy Exclusions Struck in Michigan Like dozens of other states, Michigan limits the effects of an advance directive when the patient is pregnant. * MCL 700.5507(5)(3) (“This patient advocate designation cannot be used to make a medical treatment decision to withhold or withdraw treatment from a patient who is pregnant that would result in the pregnant patient’s death.”) * MCL 700.5509(l)(d) (“The designation cannot be used to make a medical treatment decision to withhold or withdraw treatment from a patient who is pregnant that would result in the pregnant patient’s death.”) * MCL 700.5512(1) (“A patient advocate cannot make a medical treatment decision ... to withhold or withdraw treatment from a pregnant patient that would result in the pregnant patient’s death.”). But on April 16, 2026 (coincidentally National Healthcare Decisions Day), the Michigan Court of Claims ruled that all pregnancy-related exclusions are unconstitutional and invalid. The Court directed they be struck and given no force or effect. Koskenoja v. Whitmer, No. 25-000165-MM (Mich. Ct. Claims 2026). Judge Sima Patel

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Clinical Ethics Training - Core Documents A new special edition of Health Care Ethics USA addresses various models and modes for transmitting ethics education. It is delightful to see two of my own articles listed as curriculum documents for a template clinical ethics fellowship.

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UK Medical Futility / NBT / PIT Disputes - Must They All Go to Court? Last month, I blogged about a UK Court of Appeal judgment in Townsend v Epsom & Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. That case will now be reviewed by the UK Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal clarified that all decisions about incapacitated adults must be made in the patient’s best interests. If all parties are in agreement that it is not in the patient’s best interests to continue life-sustaining treatment, then this can be withdrawn without application to court. But if there is disagreement between any of the parties that cannot be resolved by discussion and/or mediation, then the matter should be referred to the Court of Protection. There is no carve out for “clinical decisions.” The hospital cannot pre-empt court proceedings by unilaterally withholding or withdrawing treatment on “clinical” grounds. A decision whether or not to withdraw treatment must be a best interests decision.

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Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law Conference 2026 The 2026 Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law (AABHL) conference will be hosted by the Centre for Health Law and Policy, University of Western Australia in Perth from 29 November to 2 December 2026. Submit your abstract by the end of May.

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Erroneous Brain Death Determination - Mississippi Supreme Court Rules The Mississippi Supreme Court has issued its judgment in Denison v. Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency. 57-year-old Denison was determined dead on neurologic criteria (brain dead) at Anderson Regional Medical Center. But she later was determined NOT to be dead at MORA's organ recovery center. Denison's family brought several claims against hospital physicians and MORA. The trial court granted summary judgment to MORA, citing the immunity in the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. The Supreme Court reversed and remanded on procedural grounds. It declined to rule on the immunity question.

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Clinical Ethics Training - Core Documents A new special edition of Health Care Ethics USA addresses various models and modes for transmitting ethics education. It is delightful to see two of my own articles listed as curriculum documents for a template clinical ethics fellowship.

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Long Shadow of Thaddeus Mason Pope Perhaps if I keep working hard, I will cast a shadow on bioethics and patient rights as long as this one.

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Australian Centre for Health Law Research (QUT) at ICEL5 Here is both core staff and adjunct faculty of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research (QUT) at ICEL5 in April 2026. Here is just one example of the scope and depth of expertise. Most of the expert evidence in the recent South Africa constitutional petition on MAID/VAD was submitted by people in this photo.

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Erroneous Brain Death Determination - Mississippi Supreme Court Rules The Mississippi Supreme Court has issued its judgment in Denison v. Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency. 57-year-old Denison was determined dead on neurologic criteria (brain dead) at Anderson Regional Medical Center. But she later was determined NOT to be dead at MORA's organ recovery center. Denison's family brought several claims against hospital physicians and MORA. The trial court granted summary judgment to MORA, citing the immunity in the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. The Supreme Court reversed and remanded on procedural grounds. It declined to rule on the immunity question.

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UK Medical Futility / NBT / PIT Disputes - Must They All Go to Court? Last month, I blogged about a UK Court of Appeal judgment in Townsend v Epsom & Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. That case will now be reviewed by the UK Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal clarified that all decisions about incapacitated adults must be made in the patient’s best interests. If all parties are in agreement that it is not in the patient’s best interests to continue life-sustaining treatment, then this can be withdrawn without application to court. But if there is disagreement between any of the parties that cannot be resolved by discussion and/or mediation, then the matter should be referred to the Court of Protection. There is no carve out for “clinical decisions.” The hospital cannot pre-empt court proceedings by unilaterally withholding or withdrawing treatment on “clinical” grounds. A decision whether or not to withdraw treatment must be a best interests decision.

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Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law Conference 2026 The 2026 Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law (AABHL) conference will be hosted by the Centre for Health Law and Policy, University of Western Australia in Perth from 29 November to 2 December 2026. Submit your abstract by the end of May.

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UK Medical Futility / NBT / PIT Disputes - Must They All Go to Court? Last month, I blogged about a UK Court of Appeal judgment in Townsend v Epsom & Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. That case will now be reviewed by the UK Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal clarified that all decisions about incapacitated adults must be made in the patient’s best interests. If all parties are in agreement that it is not in the patient’s best interests to continue life-sustaining treatment, then this can be withdrawn without application to court. But if there is disagreement between any of the parties that cannot be resolved by discussion and/or mediation, then the matter should be referred to the Court of Protection. There is no carve out for “clinical decisions.” The hospital cannot pre-empt court proceedings by unilaterally withholding or withdrawing treatment on “clinical” grounds. A decision whether or not to withdraw treatment must be a best interests decision.

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Death Doula - New Job for Nicole Kidman I have so benefitted from my exchanges with death doulas over the past few years (especially regarding VSED). Death doulas are nonmedical companions who provide personalized and compassionate support to individuals, families, and their circles of care as they encounter and navigate death, loss, and mortality. Doulas advocates self-determination and impart psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and practical care to empower dignity throughout the dying process. Now, the profession is likely to get a big boost. One of the most famous people on Earth is working to become a death doula: Nicole Kidman.

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Long Shadow of Thaddeus Mason Pope Perhaps if I keep working hard, I will cast a shadow on bioethics and patient rights as long as this one.

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Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law Conference 2026 The 2026 Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law (AABHL) conference will be hosted by the Centre for Health Law and Policy, University of Western Australia in Perth from 29 November to 2 December 2026. Submit your abstract by the end of May.

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Granada Conference on End of Life 2027 The Granada Conference on End-of-Life will be May 10-11, 2027 in Granada, Spain. Abstracts are due September 30, 2026. The conference welcomes international scholars, clinicians, legal experts, and policy-makers interested in empirical analysis and regulatory aspects related to medical aid in dying (MAID) and other end-of-life practices, including: * Oversight and data reporting on MAID and other end-of-life practices * Eligibility criteria for MAID * Issues related to non-conventional MAID: children, dementia, psychiatry, prisoners, tired-of living * Withdrawal/withholding of life-sustaining treatment and medical futility * Palliative care and palliative sedation * Respect for autonomy in end-of-life, and advance directives * Conscientious objection * Allocation of potentially life-sustaining treatment * End-of-life and organ donation

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Australian Centre for Health Law Research (QUT) at ICEL5 Here is both core staff and adjunct faculty of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research (QUT) at ICEL5 in April 2026. Here is just one example of the scope and depth of expertise. Most of the expert evidence in the recent South Africa constitutional petition on MAID/VAD was submitted by people in this photo.

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ICCEC - Clinic Ethics Conference in June 2026 Coming up in just two months is the 20th International Conference on Clinical Ethics and Consultation (ICCEC), "Building Bridges for Purposeful Global Healing: Interrelation and Mutuality in Clinical Ethics and Consultation," which will be held in Cleveland, Ohio from June 10-13, 2026. The 2026 ICCEC will celebrate our wide variety of professional, disciplinary, cultural and practice backgrounds, while serving as a global forum for collaborative learning, sharing, bridging divides, and promoting healing that recognizes the fact of our interrelatedness and mutual dependence. The site of the conference is the beautiful Tinkham Veale University Center on the campus of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland's University Circle arts and cultural district (annually named one of the top Arts Districts in the US, placing in the top 3 this year). Note two preconference sessions, Nursing Practice and Clinical Ethics and Building an Ethics Program, on June 10th and the dinner and reception celebrating international clinical ethics and the conference theme on the evening of June 12th (Gala Dinner).

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Long Shadow of Thaddeus Mason Pope Perhaps if I keep working hard, I will cast a shadow on bioethics and patient rights as long as this one.

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James Downar - Fresh, Informed Takes on MAID, Palliative Care, Critical Care One of the true highlights of ICEL5 was the active participation of James Downar. Here are two reasons. First, Downar has a rare combination of being experienced and articulate in palliative care, critical care, and MAID. Second, he cuts through many confounding conventions and norms in how most writers and speakers frame these issues. His fresh take makes you approach the material in fresh light, in the way that artists challenge viewers. Check out his publications and presentations and advocacy work here.

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Australian Centre for Health Law Research (QUT) at ICEL5 Here is both core staff and adjunct faculty of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research (QUT) at ICEL5 in April 2026. Here is just one example of the scope and depth of expertise. Most of the expert evidence in the recent South Africa constitutional petition on MAID/VAD was submitted by people in this photo.

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Death Doula - New Job for Nicole Kidman I have so benefitted from my exchanges with death doulas over the past few years (especially regarding VSED). Death doulas are nonmedical companions who provide personalized and compassionate support to individuals, families, and their circles of care as they encounter and navigate death, loss, and mortality. Doulas advocates self-determination and impart psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and practical care to empower dignity throughout the dying process. Now, the profession is likely to get a big boost. One of the most famous people on Earth is working to become a death doula: Nicole Kidman.

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Granada Conference on End of Life 2027 The Granada Conference on End-of-Life will be May 10-11, 2027 in Granada, Spain. Abstracts are due September 30, 2026. The conference welcomes international scholars, clinicians, legal experts, and policy-makers interested in empirical analysis and regulatory aspects related to medical aid in dying (MAID) and other end-of-life practices, including: * Oversight and data reporting on MAID and other end-of-life practices * Eligibility criteria for MAID * Issues related to non-conventional MAID: children, dementia, psychiatry, prisoners, tired-of living * Withdrawal/withholding of life-sustaining treatment and medical futility * Palliative care and palliative sedation * Respect for autonomy in end-of-life, and advance directives * Conscientious objection * Allocation of potentially life-sustaining treatment * End-of-life and organ donation

1 week ago 0 0 0 0

Death Doula - New Job for Nicole Kidman I have so benefitted from my exchanges with death doulas over the past few years (especially regarding VSED). Death doulas are nonmedical companions who provide personalized and compassionate support to individuals, families, and their circles of care as they encounter and navigate death, loss, and mortality. Doulas advocates self-determination and impart psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and practical care to empower dignity throughout the dying process. Now, the profession is likely to get a big boost. One of the most famous people on Earth is working to become a death doula: Nicole Kidman.

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ICCEC - Clinic Ethics Conference in June 2026 Coming up in just two months is the 20th International Conference on Clinical Ethics and Consultation (ICCEC), "Building Bridges for Purposeful Global Healing: Interrelation and Mutuality in Clinical Ethics and Consultation," which will be held in Cleveland, Ohio from June 10-13, 2026. The 2026 ICCEC will celebrate our wide variety of professional, disciplinary, cultural and practice backgrounds, while serving as a global forum for collaborative learning, sharing, bridging divides, and promoting healing that recognizes the fact of our interrelatedness and mutual dependence. The site of the conference is the beautiful Tinkham Veale University Center on the campus of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland's University Circle arts and cultural district (annually named one of the top Arts Districts in the US, placing in the top 3 this year). Note two preconference sessions, Nursing Practice and Clinical Ethics and Building an Ethics Program, on June 10th and the dinner and reception celebrating international clinical ethics and the conference theme on the evening of June 12th (Gala Dinner).

1 week ago 0 0 0 0

James Downar - Fresh, Informed Takes on MAID, Palliative Care, Critical Care One of the true highlights of ICEL5 was the active participation of James Downar. Here are two reasons. First, Downar has a rare combination of being experienced and articulate in palliative care, critical care, and MAID. Second, he cuts through many confounding conventions and norms in how most writers and speakers frame these issues. His fresh take makes you approach the material in fresh light, in the way that artists challenge viewers. Check out his publications and presentations and advocacy work here.

1 week ago 0 0 0 0

Granada Conference on End of Life 2027 The Granada Conference on End-of-Life will be May 10-11, 2027 in Granada, Spain. Abstracts are due September 30, 2026. The conference welcomes international scholars, clinicians, legal experts, and policy-makers interested in empirical analysis and regulatory aspects related to medical aid in dying (MAID) and other end-of-life practices, including: * Oversight and data reporting on MAID and other end-of-life practices * Eligibility criteria for MAID * Issues related to non-conventional MAID: children, dementia, psychiatry, prisoners, tired-of living * Withdrawal/withholding of life-sustaining treatment and medical futility * Palliative care and palliative sedation * Respect for autonomy in end-of-life, and advance directives * Conscientious objection * Allocation of potentially life-sustaining treatment * End-of-life and organ donation

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MAID Lawsuit in South Africa I am delighted to play a small part in this lawsuit just filed in the High Court in Pretoria. This action seeks to decriminalize and legalize medical assistance in dying in South Africa. The core application requests the court to declare the existing common-law prohibition of assisted dying unconstitutional and invalid, paving the way for a significant shift in the nation’s approach to end-of-life care.

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U.S. MAID: Pioneer Stuck in the Past I have been attending ICEL5 meetings on medical aid in dying since Tuesday. Countries from around the world are are sharing their approaches to eligibility and regulation. Unfortunately, few here judge that they have anything to learn from the United States. Yes, it was a pioneer in 1994. But it has not innovated in the way that almost every other MAID jurisdiction has. Eliana Close suggests that the United States get with the times."

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ICCEC - Clinic Ethics Conference in June 2026 Coming up in just two months is the 20th International Conference on Clinical Ethics and Consultation (ICCEC), "Building Bridges for Purposeful Global Healing: Interrelation and Mutuality in Clinical Ethics and Consultation," which will be held in Cleveland, Ohio from June 10-13, 2026. The 2026 ICCEC will celebrate our wide variety of professional, disciplinary, cultural and practice backgrounds, while serving as a global forum for collaborative learning, sharing, bridging divides, and promoting healing that recognizes the fact of our interrelatedness and mutual dependence. The site of the conference is the beautiful Tinkham Veale University Center on the campus of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland's University Circle arts and cultural district (annually named one of the top Arts Districts in the US, placing in the top 3 this year). Note two preconference sessions, Nursing Practice and Clinical Ethics and Building an Ethics Program, on June 10th and the dinner and reception celebrating international clinical ethics and the conference theme on the evening of June 12th (Gala Dinner).

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Posts by Thaddeus Mason Pope