§ 30-5-5-17 — Consent to or refusal of health care

(a) If the attorney in fact has the authority to
consent to or refuse health care under section 16(b)(2) of this chapter,
the attorney in fact may be empowered to ask in the name of the
principal for health care to be withdrawn or withheld when it is not
beneficial or when any benefit is outweighed by the demands of the
treatment and death may result. To empower the attorney in fact to act
under this section, the following language must be included in an
appointment under IC 16-36-1 or IC 16-36-7 in substantially the same
form set forth below:
I authorize my health care representative to make decisions in my
best interest concerning withdrawal or withholding of health care.
If at any time based on my previously expressed preferences and
the diagnosis and prognosis my health care representative is
satisfied that certain health care is not or would not be beneficial
or that such health care is or would be excessively burdensome,
then my health care representative may express my will that such
health care be withheld or withdrawn and may consent on my
behalf that any or all health care be discontinued or not instituted,
even if death may result.
My health care representative must try to discuss this decision
with me. However, if I am unable to communicate, my health care
representative may make such a decision for me, after
consultation with my physician or physicians and other relevant
health care givers. To the extent appropriate, my health care
representative may also discuss this decision with my family and
others to the extent they are available.
(b) Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize
euthanasia.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.149-1991, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-1993, SEC.155; P.L.32-2021, SEC.88; P.L.50-2021, SEC.75.