Originally, when insurance reimbursement for ongoing care life-supporting technologies (such as ventilators) were introduced many thought it would be immoral or unethical to discontinue their use - even if the patient didn't want to go on. Through discussion, disagreement and debate, this view has slowly been replaced by an emphasis on a patient's right to choose whether to continue such life support. During Brooke Hopkins’ life after his biking accident Brooke required round the clock support. Insurance covered most of the medical costs, but not round the clock aides. Even with the insurance provided by Peggy’s on-going employment (she was in her 70’s at this time, well beyond retirement) insurance and Medicare, the average cost included $250,000 out of pocket. But even with this double coverage Peggy spent a lot of time arguing with insurance companies that balked at expenditures (ex. Brooke’s $45,000 wheelchair). Despite the fact that Brooke was lucky to have had a healthy retirement fund at the time of the accident, Peggy worried how many years they would be able to sustain the level of high-quality 24-hour care that Brooke needed. Their retirement nest egg was quickly being depleted. As a patient Advocate I would see my role as both someone who supports Brooke and Peggy. I would advise Peggy to consult a financial advisor regarding the situation with Brooke’s need for 24 hour care and then see if the three of us could sit down and consider future needs. I would also assist Peggy in dealing with the on-going struggles to get necessary equipment and services covered. • Laws: those having to do with brain death; those governing who makes decisions for the patient Brooke Hopkins had updated a living will the year before his accident he had specified that should he suffer a grievous illness or injury leading to a terminal condition or vegetative state, he wanted no procedures done that “would serve only to unnaturally prolong the moment of my death and to unnaturally postpone or prolong the dying process.” However, at the time of the accident Peggy wasn’t there, and Brooke was kept breathing with a hand-pumped air bag during the ambulance ride to the hospital and then was attached to a ventilator upon arrival. By the time Peggy arrived and saw her husband hooked up to the life-sustaining equipment he had hoped to avoid, the decision about intervention had already had been made. There is the view that helping the terminally ill to die will lead ev