The Right to Die
Advance Health Care Directives
It’s estimated that four out of five Americans do not have a living will or any other written health care or end-of-life directive to help their families make decisions for them if they become incapacitated. Health care and end-of-life advance planning, if done right, accomplishes four things:
- Ensures that the person you want to speak for you has the legal authority to do so
- Helps ensure that your wishes about your health care are known and respected
- Avoids unnecessary, intrusive, and costly medical treatment at the point you not longer want it
- Reduces the suffering experienced by your loved ones, because they will have your guidance. Making serious medical decision on a loved one’s behalf without their guidance is an agonizing experience
Contact: Tina Lanier, American Bar Association, (202) 662-1792 TLanier@staff.abanet.org
