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In 2013, nurse Barbara Mancini handed her father, a hospice patient, his morphine and he took it all. She called hospice, which then called the police.  A hospice nurse and police ignored his written advance directives, and Barbara was arrested for aiding her father’s attempted suicide. Barbara’s prosecution lasted a year, during which time it garnered national attention and was roundly criticized throughout the media. A judge dismissed the charge against her in a scathing 46-page ruling. 

She traveled the country speaking about this experience and was interviewed by Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes.

In 2022, when her mother was at the end of her life, Barbara thought the hospital would honor her mother’s POLST (Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form, which was signed by her mother – and her doctor. But the doctor and the hospital staff were not even aware of the meaning of the POLST form.

Barbara has been advocating for improved care and expanded options at the end of life, including medical aid-in-dying. She has worked with State Rep. Tarik Khan on legislation to codify POLST into PA law – HB 1254, helping to ensure that people’s wishes are honored.