Full question:
Do I have the right to decide where I die, at home or in a hospital? Also, where can I get more information on this?
- Category: Living Wills
- Date:
- State: Arizona
Answer:
Yes, you generally have the right to refuse medical treatment if you are competent. It’s advisable to complete an advance health care directive, which can include your wishes about dying at home or in a hospital. A living will specifies your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment if you cannot communicate them yourself.
If you are incapacitated, you can appoint someone through a health care power of attorney to make decisions for you, following your living will’s directives.
In Arizona, a doctor may refuse to follow an advance health care directive if it conflicts with their conscience but must transfer your care to another provider who will comply. Relevant Arizona statutes include:
- 36-3204: Health care providers must comply with health care decisions made by the patient’s surrogate unless inconsistent with the patient’s directive.
- 36-3205: Providers are immune from liability when acting in good faith based on a valid health care directive.
- 36-3203: Surrogates must make decisions in accordance with the patient’s wishes as expressed in the directive.
For more information, you can consult legal resources or health care providers in Arizona.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.