Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Votes For Family Health Care Decisions Act

The New York State Senate passed the Family Health Care Decisions Act (FHCDA) today by a vote of 55-3, empowering family members and others close to the patient to make medical decisions for incapacitated patients.

Only 20 percent of individuals sign a health care proxy, leaving the overwhelming majority of patients without any opportunity for decisions to be made on their behalf if they become incapacitated. After years of inaction, the Senate passed the FHCDA to create a legal mechanism for the appointment of a health care surrogate to make health care decisions for individuals who become incapacitated.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF – 35th District) stated, “I was pleased to vote in favor of this important legislation that allows families and loved ones to make the difficult decisions that are in the best interest of those in their care when they cannot do so themselves. It allows for the best options to be decided by those who are the closest and most able to make appropriate health care decisions.”

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