Medical Power of Attorney (formerly known as Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care)
A Medical Power of Attorney is a form that allows you to appoint someone (your “agent”) to make health care decisions for you if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself. These decisions can include (1) agreeing to or refusing medical treatment; (2) deciding not to continue medical treatment; or (3) making decisions to stop or not start life-sustaining treatment.
Points to Remember
The person you choose as your agent makes decision for you only if you cannot make decisions for yourself. Your agent may NOT make decisions regarding: - Voluntary inpatient mental health services
- Convulsive treatment
- Psychosurgery
- Abortion
- Withholding treatment intended for comfort.
Discuss this advance directive with the person you have chosen as your agent, your physician and/or attorney before you sign it. Also, give these individuals copies of your signed Medical Power of Attorney form. You can change or cancel your Medical Power of Attorney at any time for any reason. The Medical Power of Attorney applies only to health care decisions. It does not apply to financial matters. Download a
Medical Power of Attorney Form »
that you can print, in PDF format. Sources:
Texas Health Resources | 
