Final answer:
The Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health case in 1989 was a significant 'right-to-die' case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, concerning whether individuals have the autonomy to refuse life-sustaining treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In December 1989, the Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health case became one of the first of the right-to-die cases to be heard by the Supreme Court. This landmark case discussed the legal and ethical issues surrounding the right of individuals to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment, including artificial nutrition and hydration, a concept that intersects with the broader debates about death with dignity.
Central to the case was whether competent individuals have the right to make autonomous decisions about their own health care, including the choice to die. The Supreme Court's decision in the Cruzan case set significant precedents concerning the rights of individuals, the authority of states, and the interests of family members and others when making decisions about the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments.