When does the health care agent have the authority to decide to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment?
Your agent’s power to make such a decision comes into effect only after a second physician’s opinion that you lack capacity is obtained. If you are hospitalized and lack of capacity results from mental illness, then the second opinion must be that of a Board Certified psychiatrist or neurologist. In certain other cases the second opinion must be that of another relevant specialist.
Related Questions
- Can I give my patient advocate the authority to make decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment, including food and water administered through tubes?
- Does a health care proxy give a health care agent authority to only make decisions about life-sustaining treatment?
- When does the health care agent have the authority to decide to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment?
