The difference is that withdrawal of
extraordinary care differs from withdrawal of
ordinary care.
Terri Schiavo died from dehydration, which was caused by the prohibition that she receive any hydration. Her nutrition was also prohibited.
Ordinary care is generally food, water, and comfort care.
Extraordinary care is most other medical treatment. There are some simple medical treatments which in certain circumstances would fall under ordinary care, such as use of antibiotics for a minor infection like a UTI [ETA] in a place where antibiotics are easily obtained.
Medical care can be ended or not started, knowing the patient will die, per the CCC:
2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous” treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.
Thus, euthanasia is causing the death of someone by omitting some care, such as food, or by taking an action with the intention of causing death.
Allowing someone to die
of the underlying medical problem because the medical care has become burdensome is a different matter. The person dies from medical problem,
not because of a condition caused by human action or inaction.
@dvdjs
FWIW: altho it seems that what might be happening is a switch from CBC to ICE, if indeed this is an attempt to deport people who have been here on medical visas, I think it is wrong to do so. My point here is to clarify what constitutes euthanasia.