(a)        The General Assembly recognizes as a matter of public policy the fundamental right of a parent to delegate decisions relating to health care for the parent’s minor child where the parent is unavailable for a period of time by reason of travel or otherwise.

(b)        The purpose of this Article is to establish a nonexclusive method for a parent to authorize in the parent’s absence consent to health care for the parent’s minor child.? This Article is not intended to be in derogation of the common law or of Article 1A of Chapter 90 of the N.C. Gen. Stat.. (1993, c. 150, s. 1.)