Advance Directives (or Advanced Directive)

A written instruction, such as a Living Will or a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, that provides instructions for the provision of medical treatment in anticipation of those times when the individual executing the document no longer has decision-making capacity. In accordance with federal law, e.g. the Patient Self-Determination Act, no patient or nursing home resident may be discriminated against if they do not have an advance directive. Individual state statutes governing advance directives vary (see Advance Directives Statutory Links For States with Ascension Health Ministries).

In compliance with federal law, a Catholic health care institution will make available to patients information about their rights, under the laws of their state, to make an advance directive for their medical treatment. The institution, however, will not honor an advance directive that is contrary to Catholic teaching. If the advance directive conflicts with Catholic teaching, an explanation should be provided as to why the directive cannot be honored (Ethical and Religious Directives, Part Three, n. 24).

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