It's not, in fact, required by law. It is simply a tool to help ensure that you get the kind of health care you want. If you do not have a living will, your nearest of kin will be consulted. In any case doctors are still committed to utilizing their training and experience toward making the best decisions possible in every aspect of your care. Whether you wish to use this tool is an option only you can decide.
Copyrights remain the property of the authors.
Original versions of these articles originally appeared in The Senior Reporter in the spring of 1992.