How the Health Care Surrogate Act of 1993 will simplify medical care in West Virginia
Moss, A.H.; Kelly, P.D.; Delaura, G.
West Virginia Medical Journal 89(7): 274-275
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-3284 PMID: 8351897 Document Number: 419297
The West Virginia Health Care Surrogate Act of 1993 became effective July 1, 1993. This law establishes a process for making health care decisions for adults who lack decision-making capacity and who have not completed a medical power of attorney that does not require judicial involvement. The law describes how a health care surrogate is to be selected by the physician, and it provides immunity to the physician and surrogate who make health care decisions according to its provisions. This article presents a case in which the application of the new law is demonstrated.