Doctors agree that futile care should not be provided, but the question of what may be unnecessary for newborns is still difficult to determine.

"That is the definition of futile medical care."

President Clinton's proposal for overhauling the medical system does not explicitly discuss the issue of futile care.

Arguments against futile care generally center on two issues.

First, futile care has no possibility of achieving a good outcome and serves only to prolong death.

Also, futile care can be very difficult on caregivers, who may see themselves as forced to act against the best interests of their patient.

The issue of futile care in clinical medicine generally involves two questions.

When is care futile?

Moreover, what may seem futile care to a healthy person looking on can suddenly seem like one last chance of life to the dying.

Mr. Merson said major savings could be made "if you whack out futile care."