MI HR0314

Affirms the right of patients and families to direct health care decisions and make medical treatment choices through the patient, designated surrogate, or close family members.

Expresses concern that medical professionals may base treatment decisions on subjective non-medical factors such as quality of life, potentially putting patients at risk of premature death.

Calls for robust legal due process protections requiring a full and fair hearing before an impartial decisionmaker if a notice to withdraw life-sustaining treatment is contested by a patient advocate or family member.

Emphasizes that COVID-19 pandemic restrictions limiting family access to hospitalized patients and nursing home residents reinforce the need to protect Michigan residents' medical decision-making rights.

Urges all three branches of state and local government to recognize and affirm patients' and families' fundamental rights to direct health care decisions.