Until 2013, Health & Safety Code's Section 1418.8 aided physicians in caring for unrepresented patients. The section (linked) outlined clearly how to care for a patient without surrogates: through convening an interdisciplinary group containing multiple perspectives. This legislation not only helped the patient, but it also helped the physician. Hospitals spent less money on 'e conservators' (online guardians for hire) and physicians no longer had to arduously go to court to solidify a decision. Linked below are a few illustrative articles on how catastrophic CANHR vs Chapman's ruling was on the quality of care for Californian unrepresented patients.
An engaging opinion piece from a physician
An article outlining how 1418.8 was struck down & its ramifications
Optimism about 1418.8 when it was signed into law
