Introduction You have the right to make health care decisions, including decisions about nursing home care, for yourself. Under the law, a patient must consent to any treatment or care received. Generally, if you are a competent adult, you can give this consent for yourself. For you to give this consent, you should be told what the recommended procedure is, why it is recommended, what risks are involved with the procedure, and what the alternatives are. Your Right Under Mississippi Law To Make Decisions Concerning Health Care The Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 (The “PSDA”) is a federal law which imposes on the state and providers of health care – such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, home health agencies, and prepaid health care organizations – certain requirements concerning advance directives and an individual’s rights under state law to make decisions concerning medical care. This booklet will discuss your rights under state law to make health care decisions and set out a description of the Mississippi law on advance directives.