Living Wills
The Florida Legislature has recognized that
every competent adult has the fundamental right of self-determination regarding
decisions pertaining to his or her own health, including the right to choose or
refuse medical treatment or procedures which would only prolong life when a
terminal condition exists. This right however is subject to certain interests of
society, such as the protection of human life and the preservation of ethical
standards in the medical profession. To insure that this right is not lost or
diminished by virtue of later physical or mental incapacity, the legislature has
established a procedure within Florida Statutes Chapter 765 allowing a person to
plan for incapacity, and if desired, to designate another person to act on their
behalf and make necessary medical decisions upon such incapacity.
|
