What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC)?
A DPAHC is an advance directive that allows you to appoint a health care agent (also known as an attorney-in-fact, a proxy, or a surrogate) to make health care decisions for you in the event that you can no longer speak for yourself. Every state recognizes a DPAHC, but laws governing directives vary from state to state. Some states consolidate the DPAHC with other advance directives. For example, California’s Advance Health Care Directive consolidates the DPAHC, the Natural Death Act, and the Directive to Physicians into one form. For additional information on advance directives, see the FCA Fact Sheet: End-of-Life Decision Making. Q: What if I am competent to make my own health care decisions? Unless you stipulate otherwise, your health care agent makes decisions for you only if you are no longer able to make health care decisions for yourself. Q: If I have filled out a Living Will, do I also need a DPAHC? It is a good idea to complete a DPAHC in addition to a Living Will, or to combi
