When there is a lack of advance planning and health directives, New York's Family Health Care Decisions Act (FHCDA)[1] establishes the authority of a patient's family member or close friend to make health care decisions for the patient in cases where the patient lacks decisional capacity and did not leave prior instructions or appoint a health care agent. This "surrogate" decisionmaker would also be empowered to direct the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining treatment when standards set forth in the statute are satisfied.
For more information, visit the Family Health Care Decisions Act Information Center
For more information, visit the Family Health Care Decisions Act Information Center