What act passed in 1991 gives patients the right to make healthcare decisions upon entering a hospital?

The correct choice, the Self-determination act, is significant because it established the principle that patients have the right to make their own healthcare decisions, particularly concerning their treatment and care, once they are admitted to a healthcare facility. This act emphasizes the importance of autonomy and informed consent in medical settings, allowing patients to express their preferences regarding their healthcare and to make decisions that align with their values and beliefs.

The Self-determination act also encourages healthcare providers to honor these wishes, ensuring that patients are active participants in their care rather than passive recipients. This legal framework was crucial in promoting patient rights and ensuring that individuals have a say in their treatment plans.

In this context, while advance directives and healthcare power of attorney are related concepts that empower individuals to outline their healthcare preferences in advance or to designate someone to make decisions on their behalf, they are not acts that specifically focus on the right to make decisions upon entering a hospital. The Oregon Death with Dignity Act primarily relates to the provision of aid-in-dying and does not broadly encompass the rights of all patients in terms of healthcare decision-making.

Therefore, the emphasis on patient autonomy and decision-making rights provided by the Self-determination act underscores its importance in the realm of healthcare.