Court Opinion

ID: 9526259
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 03:14:42.277172+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:19:14.485182
License: Public Domain

Sawyer, J.
(concurring in part and dissenting in part). While I agree that Judge Kuhn properly allowed removal of the life-support system in the case at bar, I cannot agree with the majority’s formulation of guidelines to govern future cases of this nature.
It is a well-settled principle of constitutional law that government is divided into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Const 1963, art 3, § 2; Int’l Union v Michigan, 194 Mich App 489, 499; — NW2d — (1992). The Michigan Constitution provides that no person exercising the powers of one branch shall exercise powers properly belonging to one of the others, except as expressly provided. Const 1963, art 3, § 2. I believe that the majority’s pronouncement of guidelines addressing cases beyond the one at bar is dangerously close to a usurpation of powers properly belonging to the Legislature. Accordingly, I would limit our holding in this case to the decision as it affects Joelle Rosebush.
Courts in foreign jurisdictions have recognized the unique policy and societal implications of removing the life-support system of a person in a persistant vegetative state. See In re Conroy, 98 NJ 321; 486 A2d 1209 (1985); In re Storar, 52 NY2d 363; 420 NE2d 64 (1981). Because of the complex and sensitive nature of issues that are related to the removal of life-support systems, these courts urged that judicial policy making give *694way to the legislative process in order to insure that the interests of the constituency are served. Id. Similarly, this Court has recognized that where moral and public policy matters are at issue, intermediate appellate judges should forgo their desire to create new law in favor of the legislative process. Proffitt v Bartolo, 162 Mich App 35, 58; 412 NW2d 232 (1987) (evaluation of wrongful birth and life claims).
I believe that this case presents a task too large in scope and important in effect for this Court to establish guidelines that will dictate future activity in this area. Perhaps Justice Potter best explained the separation of powers doctrine in In re Fowarding Co, 294 Mich 57; 292 NW 678 (1940), when he stated:
There is a distinction between legislative and judicial acts. The Legislature makes the law— courts apply it. To enact laws is an exercise of legislative power; to interpret them is an exercise of judicial power. To declare what the law shall be is legislative; to declare what it is or has been is judicial. The legislative power prescribes rules of action. The judicial power determines whether, in a particular case, such rules of action have been transgressed. The legislature prescribes rules for the future. The judiciary ascertains existing rights. [Forwarding, supra at 63 (quoting from Justice Potter’s dissent in In re Application of Consolidated Freight Co, 265 Mich 340, 343; 251 NW 431 (1933).]
While I agree with the majority’s recognition of the parental right to refuse medical treatment for an incompetent child, I hesitate to prescribe rules for future cases that concern such important public policy and societal concerns.