Final answer:
The decision-making process under the Patient Self-Determination Act typically involves residents and their families option (a). Locally elected officials such as city council members make decisions on behalf of their constituents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The PSDA was enacted in 1990 to ensure that patients are informed of their rights to make crucial decisions concerning their medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical treatment and the right to create advance directives like living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care.
The question seems to segue into a discussion about the democratic process in local government, particularly concerning the actions of a City Council. In a democratic system, elected officials like local lawmakers are entrusted to make decisions on behalf of the people.
The extent to which people should have a final say in these decisions can vary but typically includes public consultation periods or referenda on important issues. Whether the actions are considered democratic often depends on the transparency of the decision-making process, the level of public engagement, and adherence to the principles of representation.
Regarding the actions of the El Paso City Council, a judgment of whether it was a positive or negative demonstration of the democratic process would require specific details about those actions, including how inclusive and representative the process was and how the council communicated with its constituents.