Many of you may have heard the name Andrea Clark.  Many more probably have not, but whether you have or not, bear with me.

Andrea Clark isn’t famous.  She isn’t an actor or a politician, and she may not even be a conservative.  I’ve no idea whether she prays to God or doesn’t pray at all.  Given that her sister posts at Democratic Underground, it’s likely most of us would never have heard her name.

And yet, there but for the grace of God go I and every one of you

Which is why you should know her name.  It’s also why you should care what happens to her, and appreciate the people out there who’ve taken steps that may (as of this evening) have saved her life.

Those who don’t already know the backstory can find it at Right Wing News or directly from the Democratic Underground (Yes, I linked there.  Some stories cross all boundaries).  In a nutshell, Andrea is (possibly was) a patient at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas.  When not sedated, Andrea was conscious and coherent (enough to request a Big Mac over hospital food, which says something) and had made the decision to accept - and request - all available life-saving measures.

Despite this request, the hospital administration decided to anaesthetize her into unconsciousness and cut off her life support under the Texas “Futile Care Law” which apparently gives physicians the right to cut off life-saving measures over the protests of patients and family members. (Apparently it’s actually the “Futile TO REQUEST Care Law.”)

Andrea’s sister requested help at DU, and the story was quickly picked up by a number of liberal and conservative blogs, all of whom understand the underlying principle: A matter of life and death has no political borders. 

No hospital should have the right to terminate care for a conscious, insured patient (Yes, Andrea apparently has insurance) with the mental capacity to make decisions and who has stated that she wants to live.  No lawmaker has the right to tell us whose care - and life - is “Futile” and whose is not. 

It doesn’t matter which side you’re on in the “right to die” debate - no rational being can reasonably support a position which gives the hospital administration the power to decide that a person in Andrea’s situation has no right to live. 

But there is good news out of Texas tonight.  An Illinois facility has offered to accept Andrea and give her the care she needs - and St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital has apparently offered to pay the entire $17,000 cost of moving Andrea to Illinois - IF the family agrees to move Andrea today. (The offer decreases to 50% if they agree tomorrow, and will potentially be withdrawn altogether if the family delays the decision beyond Friday - Tip of the Horns to Lone Star Times for the update). 

We may never know the reason for this offer, but Right Wing News quotes Melanie Childers (Andrea’s sister and the woman who posted the original story at DU) as saying

“the “right wing people” are responsible for the deal St. Luke’s is offering and the Illinois facility that agreed to take [Andrea].”

The family isn’t happy that Andrea must go so far away to get the care she requires, but they seem to agree that the benefits of escaping the Futile Care Law outweigh the inconveniences of distance.  Andrea isn’t out of the woods yet, but at least she’s going to have the chance to try.

So to all the “right wing people” out there who responded to the call - and to all the “left wing people” and “middle of the roaders” too - nice job.  Thanks for being willing to stand up and say “Not on our watch.”

And don’t give up the fight just yet.  This story bears watching until Andrea’s safely in Illinois - and it may still be worth a call to St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital to encourage the administration to continue doing the right thing and pay for the transfer even if the family can’t make an immediate decision.  Just please be sure you continue to speak calmly, rationally and *cough* appropriately.  A logical, rational and uncompromising stance on Andrea’s right to live has made a difference.  Let’s keep it up until the victory is secure.

Because it’s not just about the Terri Schiavos anymore.  It’s not just about the ones who are too sick or too badly injured to make the request to live.  The cliche is real.  Standing up for her rights is standing up for your rights, and mine, and those of the person sitting beside you on the couch watching television (even though it’s TV Turnoff Week and you should, by rights, know better…)

Today it was Andrea.  Tomorrow it could be you.