Health Care Rights of the Terminally lll
The citizens of Michigan have many rights with regard to health care. The state's laws are designed to encourage patient involvement in their care and a high level of patient empowerment. If you are terminally or seriously ill, you have a right to:

• Have access to and receive appropriate and adequate medical treatment, including proper pain management.
• Receive honest and thorough information from your physician.
• Refuse medical treatment.
• Know all the options for treatment and refusal of treatment, and the known consequences of each option.
• Choose hospice or other types of palliative care to keep pain to a minimum and increase comfort.
• Be informed about laws that allow you to plan and give instructions about future health care should you become so ill that you are no longer able to make medical decisions.
• Execute a durable power of attorney, which allows you to appoint a patient advocate (someone who will guard your rights and make important decisions on your behalf).
• Inspect your own medical records and have the confidentiality of those records maintained.
• Choose to donate organs.

Hospice Legal Aid
The Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, with the assistance of many attorneys in Michigan, operates a free Hospice Legal Aid Program for hospice patients who cannot afford legal services or who are unable to visit an attorney on their own.  MHPCO, in partnership with Elder Law of Michigan, are working together to provide legal aid services for our member Hospice Programs. For more information visit Legal Hotline- Elder Law of Michigan Website.