Louisiana

Policies Evaluated

Statutes

Louisiana Natural Death Act

• La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 40:1299.58.1 et seq. (1999)

Louisiana Power of Attorney Act

• La. Civ. Code Ann. Art. 2997 (1999)

Case Law

In re P.V.W., 424 So 2d 1015 (La. 1982)(holding that the court as the protector of incompetents can override an intolerable choice by a surrogate decision-maker)

Causey v. St. Francis Medical Center, 719 So 2d 1072 (La. 1998)(discussing how the legislature -- recognizing individual autonomy and the right to self-determination -- enacted La. R.S. 49:1299.58.1 et seq. granting a competent, terminally ill person the right to refuse medical treatment)

Summary

For a summary of state policies dealing with artificial nutrition and hydration, click here