What decisions can I make about my own health care?

Competent adults have the right to make all decisions about their own medical care.

You can make all decisions about the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of any specific medical treatment or any course of treatment.  This means that you have the right to choose to have a type of medical treatment that is different than your doctor recommends, or to refuse treatment even if the doctor says you will become sicker or die without the treatment.  The decision to refuse medical treatment is not the same as suicide even if the result of the decision will or may be death.  The right to choose withdrawal of treatment includes decisions such as removing feeding tubes or ventilators. 

A "competent adult" is one who:

• Can understand the nature, extent, or probable consequences of the proposed treatment or course of treatment
• Can make a rational evaluation of the burdens, risks, and benefits of the treatment or course of treatment
• Is able to communicate a decision.  The ability to communicate a decision is broader than the ability to talk.  Someone who is able to write, or only to indicate "yes" or "no"  to questions, is able to communicate a decision.

Last legal review 4/10/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)

This site offers legal information, not legal advice.  We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information and to clearly explain your options.  However we do not provide legal advice - the application of the law to your individual circumstances.  For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.  See our section on "Finding A  Lawyer In Maryland." The Maryland State Law Library, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary, sponsors this site. The website was developed (1999-2007) as part of an access to justice initiative by the Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN) in collaboration with a number of legal services providers serving low and moderate income Marylanders. 

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