Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 76 resources
Page 1 of 2
Basic rights of all health care consumers
A Guide to Washington's Medical Marijuana Law
(Separate Website)
Information for patients, caregivers, doctors, and the public regarding medical marijuana use in Washington State.
By: ACLU
Health Care Rights of those Under 18 Years of Age
This publication outlines what health care services you may receive without the consent of a parent or guardian.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Providing Health Care to Minors Under Washington Law A summary of health care services that can be provided to minors without the consent of their parents or guardians.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Questions and Answers on Living Wills A living will is a paper that tells your doctors or others providing your health care when you want them to stop life-sustaining medical treatment and let you die. A health care power of attorney allows someone you appoint to make medical-treatment decisions for you if you are no longer able to make them yourself. This publication contains general information and a Living Will form you may download.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
Word File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Your Right to be Fully Informed of the Nature of Proposed Medical Treatment Before You Consent
Under the doctrine of "informed consent," you have a right to be given sufficient information to make an intelligent decision regarding your medical care. This is because you have the right to decide what happens to your body.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Your Right to Correct Inaccurate Information in your Health Care File
You have the right to correct or amend your medical records for accuracy and completeness. You may correct any medical records you have a right to examine and copy.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Your Right to Examine and Obtain Copies of Your Medical Records
You have a right, under almost all circumstances, to examine and obtain copies of your medical file. Your health care provider must also explain any abbreviations or codes used in your medical records.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Your Right to Keep Your Medical Records Private
Except in very limited circumstances, your health care provider may only disclose your health care information to another person upon your written consent.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Charity Care: Medical Coverage for Hospital-Based Medical Services
This publication is intended to answer common questions about the medical coverage program called "Charity Care"; the legal authority for this program is set forth in R.C.W. Ch. 70.170 and WAC Ch. 246-453 which should be available in your local library or on the internet. For information on other programs of medical coverage that may be available to low-income persons in the state of Washington see our publication How Can I Get Medical Coverage or Help with Medical Bills?
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Estate Recovery for Medical Services Paid for by the State
The state has many programs that pay for medical services. The Medicaid program is one example. Under some of these programs and with important limitations, the estate recovery law allows the state to recover (to be paid back) the cost of the services it pays for.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to Present a Charity Care Defense to a Lawsuit for Hospital Debt Collection
This packet is intended to help you when you are being sued for hospital-based medical services which you would not owe if the hospital had correctly determined your eligibility for Charity Care.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Questions and Answers on Medicaid for Nursing Home Residents
Medicaid is a government program that pays for medical services including nursing home care. It is administered by DSHS -- the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
To receive Medicaid payment for nursing home care, you must meet the financial eligibility requirements described in this publication. Also, you must need the care provided in a nursing home.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Your Rights Under Healthy Options
Healthy Options is the name of the Medicaid "managed care" program offered by the Department of Social and Health Services. Under Healthy Options you are enrolled in a health plan, such as Group Health, Regence Blue Shield, or CHPW.
By: Northwest Health Law Advocates
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
Alternatives to Guardianships for Adults 3302EN - When a person has significant problems managing financial affairs or personal care, guardianship may be considered. Guardianship should be viewed as an option of last resort, however, because it can be costly (involves going to court) and it deprives an adult of very significant personal rights. This publication provides general information about alternatives to guardianship.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Protecting Elders and Vulnerable Adults from Abuse and Neglect
The law protects frail elders and vulnerable adults. This publication discusses different types of abuse that these individuals are protected from under the law.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Questions and Answers on Guardianship
3300EN - A guardian is a person appointed by a court to manage the affairs of a person who is incapacitated. This publication provides general information about how and when a guardian should be appointed.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Questions and Answers on Powers of Attorney It is often convenient - or even necessary - to have someone else act for you. When you give someone the power to act for you, you give what is called a power of attorney. If you give a power of attorney, you are called the principal and the person you give it to is called the agent or the attorney-in-fact.
By: Columbia Legal Services
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
What Can Go Wrong with Guardianship?
(Separate Website)
Sometimes, a person with a disability needs help making decisions. Often, a guardian will be appointed by a judge to help. But, guardianship can take away many rights, and some guardians don't do a good job.
By: Washington Protection & Advocacy System (WPAS)
Home Page
PDF File
Word File