Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 40, § 1155.1. Legislative purpose, findings, and intent

(1) It is important for people to make health care decisions before a medical crisis presents itself.

(2) Health care planning is a process, rather than a single decision, that helps individuals to consider the kind of care they would want if they become seriously ill or incapacitated, and encourages them to talk to their family members or legal representative about such issues.

(3) The Louisiana Physician Order for Scope of Treatment “LaPOST” form documents the wishes of a qualified patient in a physician order.

(4) The hallmarks of the LaPOST form are the following:

B. (1) The legislature intends that the provisions of this Subpart are permissive and voluntary. The legislature further intends that the completion of the Louisiana Physician Order for Scope of Treatment form merely illustrates a means of documenting a decision of a patient relative to withholding or withdrawal of medical treatment or life-sustaining procedures.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature that nothing in this Subpart shall be construed to require the completion of a Louisiana Physician Order for Scope of Treatment form pursuant to this Subpart.

(3) It is the intent of the legislature that nothing in this Subpart shall be construed to be the exclusive means by which life-sustaining procedures may be withheld or withdrawn, nor shall this Subpart be construed to require the application of medically inappropriate treatment or life-sustaining procedures to any patient.