Committee reviews bills to establish surrogate medical decision maker and clarify next-of-kin authority

The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on House Bills 4418 and 4419, sponsored by Representative Thompson, which would establish a statutory process for a prioritized next-of-kin or surrogate health-care decision maker when a patient lacks a patient advocate designation (Michigan’s medical power of attorney).

Supporters told the committee the bills are designed to prevent delays in medical decision making that now often force families into court to obtain guardianship when a patient becomes incapacitated without prior paperwork.

Representative Jamie Thompson, sponsor of the bills, told the committee the issue is personal and widespread. “Michigan is not a next of kin state,” Thompson said, describing how she had to spend the last days of her father’s life at his bedside rather than pursuing court guardianship after his health rapidly declined. Thompson said the bills “create a legal framework for a…