Should a medical directive accompany the health care proxy?
Yes. A medical directive provides the agent with instructions on what type of care the principal would like. A medical directive can be included in the health care proxy or it can be a separate document. It may include specific instructions concerning the initiation or termination of life-sustaining treatment or a broader statement granting general authority for all medical decisions that are important to the principal. The health care proxy appoints an agent to represent the principal and a broader medical directive provides guidance in less serious situations.
