Michigan § 333.5652 - Legislative findings; Michigan dignified death act.

The legislature finds all of the following:

That patients face a unique set of circumstances and decisions once they have been diagnosed as having a reduced life expectancy due to advanced illness.

That published studies indicate that patients with reduced life expectancy due to advanced illnesses fear that in end-of-life situations they could receive unwanted aggressive medical treatment.

That patients with reduced life expectancy due to advanced illnesses are often unaware of their legal rights, particularly with regard to controlling end-of-life decisions.

That the free flow of information among health care providers, patients, and patients' families can give patients and their families a sense of control over their lives, ease the stress involved in coping with a reduced life expectancy due to advanced illness, and provide needed guidance to all involved in determining the appropriate variety and degree of medical intervention to be used.

That health care providers should be encouraged to initiate discussions with their patients regarding advance medical directives during initial consultations, annual examinations, and hospitalizations, at diagnosis of a chronic illness, and when a patient transfers from 1 health care setting to another.

In affirmation of the tradition in this state recognizing the integrity of patients and their desire for a humane and dignified death, the Michigan legislature enacts the "Michigan dignified death act". In doing so, the legislature recognizes that a well-considered body of common law exists detailing the relationship between health care providers and their patients. This act is not intended to abrogate any part of that common law. This act is intended to increase awareness of the right of a patient who has a reduced life expectancy due to advanced illness to make decisions to receive, continue, discontinue, or refuse medical treatment. It is hoped that by doing so, the legislature will encourage better communication between patients with reduced life expectancy due to advanced illnesses and health care providers to ensure that the patient's final days are meaningful and dignified.