Officials at the LBJ Medical Centre in American Samoa have called for the Fono's approval of a bill that would provide end-of-life health care guidance.
The bill provides guideline such as the appointment and duties of a health care representative, procedures for making a living will, procedures in the absence of
a living will and for determination of patient condition.
Samoa News quotes LBJ's general counsel, Terry Lovelace, saying that it is LBJ's position that the legislation is needed.
Mr Lovelace says the measure is required by U.S. law, and it also allows locals to make a decision about their own health care wishes, if, in the future, they can't communicate their choices.
