The New York State Health Care Proxy Law and the issue of artificial hydration and nutrition.

Abstract

The New York State Health Care Proxy (HCP) Law allows a surrogate to make medical decisions for an individual when he or she loses the capacity to make them. In the area of artificial hydration and nutrition, however, this law dictates that if the agent is not aware of the patient's wishes regarding hydration and nutrition, the agent cannot decide about this treatment.