Montana Supreme Court Stays Order Requiring Surgery Over Woman's Religious Objections

The Montana Supreme Court last week ordered a stay and expedited appeal of a trial court's order that a woman with cancer undergo surgery despite her religious objections. In Office of State Public Defender on Behalf of L.K. v. Montana Fourth Judicial District Court, (MT Sup. Ct., March 2, 2011), the Supreme Court explained:

During a hearing conducted on March 1, 2011, the District Court determined that L.K. is not competent to make her own medical decisions and directed that she undergo a radical hysterectomy on March 3, 2011, against her desires. L.K. objects to the surgery on religious grounds, and expert testimony admitted at the hearing indicated that her religious objections are delusional.

Reporting on the case today, the Helena Independent Record says that at trial a doctor and a psychiatrist testified that L.K. believed that God had cured her.  Doctors say the woman's cancer could kill her within three years. L.K. testified however that she understands she had been diagnosed with cancer and understands the risks of death if she does not have the surgery. The appeal will argue that the trial court's order violates L.K.'s constitutionally protected rights of personal autonomy and religious freedom.