For Terminally Ill, New Law Gives Final Say on Medical Care

Legislation that encourages patients to decide if they want aggressive medical care at the end of life was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday, moving New Jersey in line with more than 30 other states that provide residents with a relatively new planning document called the “Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment” or POLST.

POLST allows individuals to remain in control when facing a life-limiting or terminal illness.“Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regarding their medical care, especially as they enter the final phase of their lives,” said Assemblywoman Nancy F. Munoz (R-Essex, Morris, Somerset and Union), the bill’s co-sponsor and a registered nurse. http://bit.ly/vxDyec

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For Terminally Ill, New Law Gives Final Say on Medical Care