Many Americans have faced end-of-life issues, with about one-third saying they've had to decide whether to keep a loved one alive using extraordinary means. Majorities say a person's spouse should be the one to decide the fate of a comatose-like patient who has no written directive of their wishes, although some are not sure. The public seems certain, though, that end-of-life decisions should be left to the individual. Large majorities say the government should not get involved. And two-thirds say they're concerned that Congress' involvement in the Terri Schiavo case set a precedent for government intervention in the future. While most people say they personally would not want to be kept alive in a "persistent vegetative" state, far fewer would be willing to end life support for their spouse or child. More than one-third of Americans say they have a living will or a health care proxy expressing their medical wishes if they are unable to do so. Of those who don't, nearly seven in 10 say the Terri Schiavo case made them think about drafting one.

Large majorities say the government should not get involved in cases regarding life support