Terri Schiavo

Senator Bill Frist
03/24/2005

So many of you have called and written over the past 24 hours on the imminent death of Terri Schiavo. Thanks for your comments.

Many of you refer to my floor statement on Thursday last week. I encourage you to read it because it sets the stage for why I felt it was so important to have respected neurologists establish her current condition and diagnosis since she has not been examined completely in years. I'd hoped the federal courts by taking a fresh (de novo) look would have required confirmation of the diagnosis, which some doctors who have examined her disagree with.

Is her diagnosis certain? Has she been evaluated by respected neurologists (within the last 2 years) with today's medical standards and technology? These are the questions you ask. I don't know her diagnosis but there are doctors who have examined her who say that she is not in a persistent vegetative state.

It looks like we will never know for sure. See the public statement by my communications director released to the press late yesterday (below):

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2005 

Bob Stevenson (202) 224-4445 
Amy Call (202) 224-1865
Nick Smith (202) 224-3355

FRIST'S COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR COMMENTS ON SCHIAVO CASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's Communication Director Bob Stevenson made the following statement regarding the Terri Schiavo case:

"Bill Frist has helped save hundreds of lives in operating rooms throughout the world. For him a woman's life...every life...is precious.

"Before addressing the Senate concerning Terri Schiavo last Thursday, Senator Frist carefully reviewed medical information, records, video tapes and sworn affidavits that were in the court records. He spoke with physicians involved in the case. He noted that some doctors have concluded she is not in a persistent vegetative state and could improve with therapy.

"The suggestion by some that Senator Frist was making a 'diagnosis' in the Schiavo case is absurd. Nowhere in his comments was he substituting his opinion for others. But with medical experts split on Terri Schiavo's condition and a woman's life at stake, he suggested the court solicit additional tests and attempt to reach a medical consensus on her condition. Specifically, he recommended current and complete neurological examinations, which she has not had, using the most up-to-date medical technologies.

"The fact the bill passed with bipartisan support and without dissent would indicate Republicans and Democrats alike agreed with his assessment that the courts should at the very least solicit additional medical evidence in this case. When medical facts are in dispute we should always err on the side of life."


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Will stay in touch.


Bill Frist