The individual or organization responsible for placing a patient in a health care facility and ensuring that adequate care is given to that patient there. For example, a parent is usually the responsible party in the case of a child; the parent is not only responsible for the child receiving care, but also for the payment for that care. In less formal usage in the hospital, the term “responsible party” is used to mean simply “responsible for payment.” Legally, there can be more than one “responsible party.” For example, one person, such as a guardian, may be authorized to make treatment decisions, while another person may be responsible for payment.