Health Care Directives
Pros
- Takes the load off children and others who would be faced with the difficult decision to “pull the plug.”
- Can avoid the significant costs of prolonged life-sustaining treatment.
Cons
- There is always the danger that an illness could be erroneously or prematurely diagnosed as terminal or incurable.
- If the document uses unfamiliar language and definitions, medical providers may refuse to apply it.
Did you know?
- In many states, this document is known as a “living will.”
- In Washington, a person designates separately whether they want to refuse artificially-provided food and water, in addition to medical treatment.
If you already have a life-limiting illness, you might consider a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. This is not a document you get at a law firm, it needs to be signed by a medical provider. More information is available through WSMA.