Legal and Ethical Issues (CCMA)

Acceptance

Agreeing verbally or in writing to the terms of a contract, which is one of the requirements of an enforceable contract

Advance directives

A living will, stating the patient’s wishes regarding end-of-life care

Affordable Care Act (2010)

Law that aims to make health insurance more affordable and accessible to Americans by expanding Medicaid, creating health insurance marketplaces, and implementing consumer protections, such as preventing insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions

Agent

One that acts or has the power or authority to act for another

Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)

Amendment of the original ADA that makes it easier for people with disabilities to be protected by the law by broadening the definition of disability

Arbitration

A private, judicial determination of a dispute and an alternative to litigation; generally just as final and binding as litigation

Autonomy

Independence or freedom of an individual’s will; the right to choose

Beneficence

Doing good for another

Capacity

Having the mental competency to make health care decisions or execute a will; understanding the nature of the decision and being aware of potential risks

Common law

A type of legal system where the rules and decisions come mostly from past court cases and judicial decisions, rather than just written laws made by the government

Compensatory damages

Damages recovered in payment for injury or economic loss, which does not include punitive damages

Defendant

The party sued in a civil lawsuit or the party charged with a crime in a criminal prosecution

Deposition

A legal process where a person answers questions under oath outside of the courtroom as part of a lawsuit or investigation, usually before a trial

Distributive justice

The principle by which we as a society decide to allocate resources that are in scarce supply

Durable power of attorney

A legal document that allows a patient to choose someone to make medical decisions for them if they are unable to do so themself

Ethics

Rules of conduct based on ideas about what is morally good and bad

Express consent

Direct communication of consent, usually through signing papers

Extrinsic

Motivation coming from factors outside of an individual

Felony