What rights does the Patient Self-Determination Act ensure for patients?

The Patient Self-Determination Act primarily establishes the rights of patients to make their own health care decisions and to prepare advance directives. This legislation underscores the importance of patient autonomy, enabling individuals to express their preferences regarding medical treatment in the event they become unable to communicate their wishes.

By allowing for advance directives, patients can document their healthcare choices in advance, ensuring that their treatment aligns with their personal values and desires. This includes the ability to specify preferences for life-sustaining treatments, designating a health care proxy, or outlining specific limited interventions. The law emphasizes that patients should be informed of their rights and have the opportunity to make these decisions freely, without coercion.

In contrast, while the other options may touch on aspects of patient rights, they do not encompass the complete framework established by the Act. The option about confidentiality only focuses on a specific aspect of patient rights, and the suggestion of rights to free medication or the right to refuse to see doctors does not reflect the comprehensive nature of patient empowerment intended by the Patient Self-Determination Act.