What is the difference between a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney?
A. A Living Will is a document that states your wishes regarding life support systems. Do you want to be kept alive on life support? Under what conditions? A Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) does not say what you want to happen in such situations, but who you want to make the decisions. There is no law in Michigan stating that a Living Will is valid and enforceable. That does not make them “illegal”, it only makes them unenforceable. A HCPOA, though, is specifically sanctioned by law. Under such a document you designate a Patient Advocate to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make your own decisions. It applies to all medical decisions for you if you are unable to make your own decisions, not just those involving end-of-life situations. (Hospitals always want someone to sign consent forms. If you are unable to understand or unable to sign, who do you want to give or withhold consent, on your behalf?) It also authorizes the doctor or hospital to give that person in
