Which legal framework addresses who may make medical decisions for a patient lacking capacity?

• A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
• B. Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act
• C. Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act
• D. Patient Self-Determination Act

Answer: (C)

When a patient cannot make medical decisions, a framework is needed to designate who will decide and how those decisions are made. The Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act provides that framework by establishing who may act as a surrogate decision-maker and outlining the standards used to guide decisions (substituted judgment when possible, or the patient’s best interests when not). It also sets a priority order among potential surrogates and promotes honoring known wishes if they exist. This contrasts with HIPAA, which governs privacy of health information; EMTALA, which requires emergency treatment regardless of capacity or ability to pay; and the Patient Self-Determination Act, which requires informing patients about advance directives but does not specify who makes decisions. Therefore, this framework directly addresses who may make medical decisions for a patient lacking capacity.