HLT POL 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter N/A: Advance Healthcare Directive, Healthcare Proxy

• School: UCLA
• Department: Health Policy and Management
• Course: HLT POL 100
• Professor: Marcy Boroff

Document Summary

Unfortunately, as we grow older, or if we experience health challenges, we may find ourselves in a position in which decisions need to be made as to how we wish to be treated in a variety of medical situations. This is especially true at the end of our lives, but can be true at any time as a result of the impact of an accident, injury, or illness. If we are in a condition such that we no longer can express our preferences about treatment, decisions will be made for us by others if we have not planned for our own treatment in advance. Depending on the state, these documents are known as "living wills," "medical directives," "health care proxies," or "advance health care directives. " Some states have a standardized or statutory form, while other states allow you to draft your own document.