Patients Rights Within the Health Care System

Some patients' rights in the United States are mandated by state and federal law, and some are part of an individual institution's policies. Also influential on the health care system is the Patient's Bill of Rights, created by U.S. Advisory Commission On Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry.

The Right to Medical Records

• The right to obtain a copy of your own medical records is federal law in the United States.

The Right to Privacy

• You have the right to keep your medical records private, also according to the federal law.

The Right to Informed Consent

• The Patient's Bill of Rights and most health care facilities promote the right to be informed about your condition, your health plan, your doctors and your treatment in clear and easy-to-understand language, so that you can make informed decisions.

The Right to Respect

• Also according to the Patient's Bill of Rights, you have the right to "considerate, respectful care from your doctors, health plan representatives, and other health care providers."

The Right to Refuse Care

• Patients have the right to refuse medical care, unless they are mentally incompetent at the time because of various circumstances. Also, parents and guardians cannot refuse medical care for their children in the case of communicable diseases and if refusal will result in ill health and death.