Committee on Disability Rights 2024 Annual Meeting

This thorough program is broken down into three parts. Part One discusses the evolution of health care decision-making in New York, from an overview of the history of medical decision-making law in New York, to the legal foundations of health care decisions focusing on those with medical issues and/or developmental disabilities. This discussion includes the Family Health Care Decisions Act (FHCDA), the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act (SCPA) 1750-b, and Mental Hygiene Law Article 82 (Supported Decision Making). Part One also discusses the NYS Task Force on Life and the Law, regarding the recommendations from the Task Force on decisions about the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining treatment from patients with mental illness or developmental disabilities. Part Two discusses ethics in health care decision-making, such as ethics review committees, bio-ethics consultations, and mediation. Part Two will also include a discussion regarding Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). Part Three is a discussion regarding the In re Jane Doe case of first impression, presented by the court-appointed attorney/guardian for Jane Doe.

Speakers

John Dow, Trinity Health

Fern J. Finkel, Fern Finkel & Associates, PLLC (Elder Law and Special Needs Section Chair)

Edward F. McCardle, JD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Bioethics and Humanities

Mary Beth Morrissey, PhD, JD, MPH,PhD, Program Director and Associate Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University (Health Law Section Chair-Elect)

Sheila Shea, JD, Director Mental Hygiene Legal Services, Third Department

Robert Swidler, JD, Former General Counsel, St. Peter's Health Partners (Albany NY) and General Counsel, St. Joseph's Health (Syracuse NY)

Marianne Walker, RN, JD, CPHRM, Associate General Counsel/Vice President Enterprise Risk Management Garnet Health

Mira Weiss, JD, Weiss Law Group, PLLC