Final answer:
The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991 emphasizes the principle of autonomy, where patients have the right to make their own health care decisions including informed consent. The PPACA seeks to achieve universal coverage and both of these acts are central to ethical healthcare practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991, as implemented today, is known for providing individuals with the right to make decisions regarding their own health care based on the principle of autonomy. This principle ensures that patients can exercise agency or self-determination in clinical settings, which includes the right to give informed consent before participating in clinical trials, thus protecting them from exploitation. Additionally, the broader legislation signed into law in 2010 by President Obama, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), has been phased in with the goal of bringing the United States closer to universal coverage, albeit being quite contentious.
The principle of beneficence is another key ethical concept in health care, which states that actions should be taken to benefit others and contribute to their well-being. These two principles work together to ensure ethical practice in health care and uphold patient rights.