Sec. 17. (a) If the attorney in fact has the authority to consent to or refuse health care under section 16(2) of this chapter, the attorney in fact may be empowered to ask in the name of the principal for health care to be withdrawn or withheld when it is not beneficial or when any benefit is outweighed by the demands of the treatment and death may result.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 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be excessively burdensome, then my health care representative may express my will that such health care be withheld or withdrawn and may consent on my behalf that any or all health care be discontinued or not instituted, even if death may result.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.
As added by P.L.149-1991, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.2-1993, SEC.155.
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