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SD 156

An Act improving medical decision making

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cynthia Creem

Massachusetts bill reforming medical decision-making procedures to clarify patient autonomy, informed consent, and surrogate decision authority in healthcare settings.

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Bill Summary · SD 156

Legislative bill overview

SD 156 seeks to reform medical decision-making processes in Massachusetts, likely focusing on patient autonomy, informed consent, or advance directive procedures. The bill appears designed to clarify legal standards and procedures governing how medical decisions are made when patients cannot directly participate in their care.

Why this is important

Medical decision-making authority directly affects end-of-life care, surrogate decision-making, and patient rights protections. Clarifying these procedures impacts hospitals, families, healthcare providers, and patients facing serious illness or incapacity, potentially affecting thousands of healthcare encounters annually.

Potential points of contention

  • Surrogate decision-making standards: Disagreement over whether surrogates should follow "substituted judgment" (what the patient would want) versus "best interest" standards, which can lead to different outcomes
  • Scope of permissible decisions: Disputes about which medical decisions fall under improved frameworks—whether including life-sustaining treatment withdrawal, experimental treatments, or psychiatric care
  • Implementation and liability: Questions about how healthcare facilities enforce new standards and whether providers face legal liability for good-faith decisions made under existing versus new frameworks

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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