Advances in medical technology, recent court rulings and emerging political trends have brought with them a number of life-and-death choices which many have in no way just before deemed. The looming prospect of legalized doctor-assisted suicide is one such option which severely erodes the inherent worth and dignity of human life. The a great deal-publicized efforts of particular medical doctors to give carbon monoxide poisoning or prescribe lethal drugs for their terminally ill sufferers constitute euthanasia. So may possibly the removal of certain life-sustaining remedies from a patient who is not in a terminal situation. Euthanasia and willful suicide, in any form, are offenses against life they must be and are rejected by the vast majority of U.S. states.
On the other hand, people faced with these tough dilemmas ought to be created conscious that there are morally-acceptable, life-affirming legal choices obtainable to them. A single such solution, for Catholics and other folks, can be a “well being care energy of attorney” and “living will.” South Carolina State law allows you to appoint someone as your agent to make health care decisions for you in the event you lose the ability to choose for your self. This appointment is executed by suggests of a “overall health care power of attorney” form, a model for which can be obtained from your lawyer.
A overall health care energy of attorney can be a morally and legally acceptable means of protecting your wishes, values and religious beliefs when faced with a critical illness or debilitating accident. Accordingly, for persons wishing to execute health care powers of lawyer, see the following instructions and guidance from the authoritative teachings and traditions of various religious faiths.
The intent of the wellness care energy of attorney law is to enable adults to delegate their God-given, legally-recognized suitable to make wellness care choices to a designated and trusted agent. The law does not intend to encourage or discourage any unique well being care remedy. Nor does it legalize or promote euthanasia, suicide or assisted suicide. The health care energy of attorney law permits you, or any competent adult, to designate an “agent,” such as a household member or close friend, to make wellness care choices for you if you lose the potential to choose for oneself in the future. This is performed by completing a health care power of attorney type.
You…
o Have the proper to make all of your personal health care choices though capable of undertaking so. The well being care power of lawyer only becomes successful when and if you turn into incapacitated by way of illness or accident.
o Have the proper to challenge your doctor’s determination that you are not capable of making your personal medical choices.
o CAN give specific instructions about your medical therapy to your agent and can forbid your agent from creating particular remedy choices. To do so, you merely have to have to communicate your wishes, beliefs and instructions to your agent. Guidelines about any specific remedies or procedures which you desire or do not wish under unique situations can also be written in your well being care power of attorney and/or offered in a separate living will.
o Can revoke your wellness care power of attorney or the appointment of your agent at any time though competent.
o May well not designate as your agent an administrator or employee of the hospital, nursing dwelling or mental hygiene facility to which you are admitted, unless they are related by blood, marriage or adoption. 1996
Your agent…
o Can commence producing choices for you only when your medical professional determines that you are no longer in a position to make health care choices for yourself.
o May possibly make any and all well being care decisions for you, which includes treatments for physical or mental conditions and choices with regards to life-sustaining procedures, unless you limit the power of your agent.
o Will not have authority to make decisions about the artificial provision of nutrition and hydration (nourishment and water by way of feeding tubes) unless he or she clearly knows that these decisions are in accord with your wishes about these measures.
o Is protected from legal liability when acting in excellent faith.
o Will have to base his or her choices on your wishes or, if your wishes cannot be reasonably ascertained, in your “best interests.” The agent’s choices will take precedence more than the choices of all other persons, regardless of family relationships.