Feeding Tube Taken From Bouvia

Responding to an appeals court ruling, doctors at a Lancaster hospital this morning removed a force-feeding tube from quadriplegic Elizabeth Bouvia, a symbol of the right-to-die movement since her unsuccessful attempt to starve herself two years ago.

Bouvia’s attorney, Richard Scott, said the 28-year-old cerebral palsy victim is “very happy” and has agreed to eat a minimal liquid diet while a patient at High Desert Hospital, where the force-feeding tube was inserted against Bouvia’s will Jan. 16. Bouvia, who has long tried unsuccessfully to transfer to another medical facility, will resume her suicide attempts once she finds “a more comfortable and non-hostile” facility, Scott said.