Gremillion insists that Hermann s policy is not motivated by the bottom line. She said that, hypothetically, a procedure could be deemed futile even if an insurance company were willing to pay for it. Money is not an issue. We wanted to make sure that these issues did not have to do with finances. No one is up in arms about that kind of thing that happens on a routine basis, because the people who are being treated aren t seen as futile.
Controversy is likely to surround medical futility policies for quite some time.
El Camino Hospital in Mountain View is just beginning to develop its own policies. People spoke passionately both for and against such policies at the first public forum in May, according to Judy Gallagher, MS, RN, vice president for patient care services. She anticipates years of information gathering and revision before the hospital comes up with a final plan. But even then, she does not believe the debate will end. I think this issue will be wrestled with even after a policy and guidelines are established.