Michael Hickson, aged 46, died on June 11, 2020, after being denied care for

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...

by doctors at South Austin Medical Center over his wife's objections. Hickson was a

quadriplegic Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, is defined as the dysfunction or loss of motor and/or sensory function in the cervical area of the spinal cord. A loss of motor function can present as either weakness or paralysis leading to partial or t ...

. Hickson's case received public scrutiny after his wife Melissa recorded a conversation with a doctor; the recording was widely shared. Statements were released by disability advocates, religious groups, as well as the involved hospital.

Background and death

In 2017, Michael Hickson was driving his wife Melissa to work when he had a cardiac incident that led to a brain injury. In February 2020, Family Eldercare, a non-profit agency, was appointed by a judge as a temporary guardian until a hearing could be held to determine Hickson's permanent guardian. On May 15, 2020, Michael Hickman tested positive for COVID-19. On June 2, he was taken to St. David's South Austin hospital; the following day he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. On June 6, Michael's wife Melissa was informed by the hospital that Michael would be transferred to hospice. A nurse further informed her that her husband would no longer be receiving nutrition or hydration and would not be resuscitated. In a recorded conversation with the attending physician, Melissa is informed that, against her wishes, her husband will not be nourished, hydrated, or receive treatment for the pneumonia he had developed". After the doctor argues Michael has no quality of life, Melissa questions: "What do you mean? Because he's paralyzed with a brain injury, he doesn't have quality of life?" she asks. The doctor replies: "Correct". Family Eldercare consented to the decision to withhold care, nutrition, and hydration. Over his wife's objections, Michael was transferred to hospice and his wife Melissa was unable to see him again. When Melissa emailed hospice on June 12 to inquire about her husband's condition, she was informed he had died the previous evening.

Reactions

St. David's released a statement clarifying, in part, that "This was not a matter of hospital capacity. It had nothing to do with Mr. Hickson's abilities or the color of his skin." Family Eldercare, the agency that was appointed to act as Hickson's guardian, released a statement arguing that "Mr. Hickson's spouse, family, and the medical community were in agreement with the decision not to intubate Mr. Hickson". The

National Council on Disability The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an advisory agency on disability policy in the United States for all levels of government and for private sector entities NCD is an independent agency of the United States government headquartered in ...

issued a statement denouncing the denial of care and calling for an investigation by the Office of Civil Rights.

Proposed Legislation

A bill, HB 3063: The Michael Hickson Act, has been authored by

John T. Smithee John T. Smithee (born September 7, 1951) is an American politician and attorney serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 86th district. Elected in November 1984, he assumed office in January 1985. Education Smithee ea ...

proposed in the

Texas House of Representatives The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Texas Legislature. It consists of 150 members who are elected from single-member districts for two-year terms. As of the 2010 United States census, each member represents abou ...

that would require guardians to contact family members of their wards regarding end-of-life decisions.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hickson, Michael 2020 deaths Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas People with tetraplegia People with severe brain damage Wheelchair users