Chapter 22
"Ms. Sawyer, please call your first witness."
"I call Dr. Thomas Means to the stand."
"Dr. Means, what is your current position?"
"I'm Chief of Internal Medicine at Massachusetts General. And I'm also Chair of the hospital's Bioethics Committee."
"Dr. Means, please share with the court your professional opinion on the merits of this case."
"Yes, ma'am. The American Medical Association has conflicting guidance on end of life care. Dr. Nolan presented one side of the issue earlier in his testimony. However the AMA states that physicians have an obligation to relieve pain and suffering. This includes providing effective palliative treatment even though it may foreseeably hasten death."
"In your professional opinion, were the alleged actions performed by Mrs. Bartlet to relieve pain and suffering?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. Your turn, Mr. Short."
"Doctor, were you President Bartlet's physician at any time in his life?"
"No."
"So your opinion is not based on any professional or personal assessment of the case?"
"No sir."
"Are you aware that Mrs. Bartlet is not a currently licensed physician?"
"Yes."
"Are the AMA guidelines applicable to non-physicians?"
"No."
"Thank you, Dr. Means. No further questions."
The DA sat down after finishing his questioning.
Pat stood and called her primary witness. "I call Abigail Bartlet to the stand."