Tennessee
How Cruzan v. Missouri Dept. of Health applies in Tennessee: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Constitutional Law.
Tennessee recognizes the right of individuals to refuse life-sustaining treatment under the principle of autonomy, consistent with the ruling in Cruzan. Tennessee law mandates clear and convincing evidence of a patient’s wishes regarding the withholding of life support.
Under Tennessee law, as established in In re Estate of L.W. (2010), individuals can refuse treatment if there is clear and convincing evidence of the patient's wishes, which may include advance directives or compelling witness testimony.
Held that clear and convincing evidence of a patient’s wishes must be provided to discontinue life-sustaining treatment.
Affirmed that oral testimony can be sufficient for demonstrating patient intent in treatment decisions, preserving autonomy.
Emphasized the necessity of advance directives to reflect a patient’s intentions about medical care, reinforcing the importance of clear documentation.
Tennessee’s approach mirrors the federal standard established in Cruzan, specifically emphasizing the need for clear and convincing evidence of a patient's wishes. However, Tennessee courts provide additional clarity regarding the types of evidence acceptable to uphold an individual's right to refuse treatment.
The principles of Cruzan and its applications in Tennessee may appear on the bar exam, particularly in questions relating to constitutional rights, autonomy, and patient care obligations.