Syracuse Herald Journal in Syracuse, New York

Rules defend infant care guidelines against doctors suit

Washington AP The Reagan administration defends rules guaranteeing severely handicapped infants receive food and medical care amid a U S District Court challenge by the American Academy of Pediatrics representing 24000 physicians The rule requires hospital notices and a telephone hotline for reporting violations and stems from last year Bloomington Indiana Baby Doe case The academy says the rules may cause confusion while Surgeon General C Everett Koop argues the policy is lawful and ethical clicking a living not prolonging dying