MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

A Medical Power of Attorney is a form that allows you to appoint someone (your "agent") to make decisions about your medical care if you are no longer competent or able to do so. 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.

Important Points

•  The person you choose as your agent makes decision for you only if you cannot make decisions for yourself. In other words, only if you are judged " incompetent."

•  Your attending physician must certify in writing that you are unable to make healthcare decisions and file that certification in your medical record.

•  Your agent may NOT make decisions regarding:

1. Voluntary inpatient mental health services
2. Convulsive treatment
3. Psychosurgery
4. Abortion
5. Withholding treatment intended for comfort.

To read the Texas law regarding Medical Power of Attorney, go to http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ and look under Texas Statutes. The Medical Power of Attorney is covered under the Advance Directives Act, Chapter 166 of the Health and Safety Code.