Consent to or refusal of health care
Sec. 17. (a) If the attorney in fact has the authority to consent to
or refuse health care under section 16(2) of this chapter, the attorney
in fact may be empowered to ask in the name of the principal for
health care to be withdrawn or withheld when it is not beneficial or
when any benefit is outweighed by the demands of the treatment and
death may result. To empower the attorney in fact to act under this
section, the following language must be included in an appointment
under IC 16-36-1 in substantially the same form set forth below:
I authorize my health care representative to make decisions in
my best interest concerning withdrawal or withholding of health
care. If at any time based on my previously expressed
preferences and the diagnosis and prognosis my health care
representative is satisfied that certain health care is not or
would not be beneficial or that such health care is or would be
excessively burdensome, then my health care representative
may express my will that such health care be withheld or
withdrawn and may consent on my behalf that any or all health
care be discontinued or not instituted, even if death may result.
My health care representative must try to discuss this decision
with me. However, if I am unable to communicate, my health
care representative may make such a decision for me, after
consultation with my physician or physicians and other relevant
health care givers. To the extent appropriate, my health care
representative may also discuss this decision with my family
and others to the extent they are available.
(b) Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize
euthanasia.
As added by P.L.149-1991, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-1993,
SEC.155.
Last modified: May 27, 2006