Refusal of Care

S11, E18: The staff treats a woman suffering from the effects of a hunger strike, but the patient refuses to accept food or help until she has proof that the INS (U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service) will grant her son's deportation case a new hearing. Neela, Sam and Lewis are unable to treat her as long as she and her lawyer refuse aid--which goes against all of their training. Meanwhile, Abby suspects that a 72-year-old woman, Birdy Chaddock (Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher - "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"), is a victim of elder abuse but is unable to prove it.