The Supreme Court has ruled that the right to refuse medical life support ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the landmark case of Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health, the Supreme Court held that individuals have a constitutional right to refuse unwanted medical treatment, including life-sustaining treatment, and that this right is grounded in the liberty interest protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. While states may have an interest in protecting life, they cannot override an individual's right to refuse medical treatment. This right can be exercised by competent individuals themselves or by their designated healthcare proxy if they become incapacitated and are unable to make decisions for themselves.

The Supreme Court Has Ruled That the Right to Refuse