Same Sex Domestic Partners and Medical Decision Makers
The Senate Judiciary and Public Affairs committee in New Mexico passed (5 to 4) the Domestic Partnership Bill - 800 pages long that gives unmarried same-sex and opposite-sex couples the legal protections and benefits of married couples on issues including medical decision-making. It is anticipated that republicans will oppose.
It must be made clear that patients are not restricted in nomination who ever they want to act as their surrogate decision makers. It is the person who best knows the patients wishes and values that should act as the surrogate decision maker in all instances.
Some states provide for priorities to family members, for example, calling for the spouse to make decisions, if they agree. The patient however can overrule this by nominating who they wish, irrespective of family or other relations.
