Final answer:
The Patient Self-Determination Act aims to ensure patients' autonomy in making healthcare decisions through informed consent and honoring their wishes in advance directives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The important goal of the Patient Self-Determination Act is to affirm the principle of autonomy, which dictates that patients have the right to exercise agency or self-determination when making decisions about their own healthcare. This includes the right to craft advance directives, choose to accept or refuse medical treatment, and make other critical health decisions in line with their personal values and preferences.
Moreover, the Act emphasizes the importance of informed consent, ensuring patients are provided with all relevant information to make educated decisions about their healthcare. The Act aligns with the principle of beneficence, promoting actions that are beneficial to the patient's wellbeing.