New Mexico and federal law give every competent adult, 18 years or older, the right to make their own health care decisions, including the right to decide what medical care or treatment to accept, reject, or discontinue. If you do not want to receive certain types of treatment, or you wish to name someone to make health care decisions for you, you have the right to make these desires known to your doctor, hospital, or other health care providers, and in general, have these rights respected. You also have the right to be told about the nature of your illness in terms that you can understand, the general nature of the proposed treatments, the risks of failing to undergo these treatments and any alternative treatments or procedures that may be available to you.

However, there may be times when you cannot make your wishes known to your doctor or other health care providers. For example, if you were taken to a hospital in a coma, would you want the hospital’s medical staff to know what your specific wishes are about the medical care that you want or do not want to receive?

Forms are available through different organizations. Take the time to make your wishes known.