Planning for the future: The Advance Health Care Directive Published Feb. 22, 2007 By Capt. Thomas Franzinger Assistant Staff Judge Advocate TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Times of medical difficulty can be very stressful with the added possibility of conflict between family members and health care providers. Air Force members may want to consider getting an important legal document to make arrangements for future medical care. Under California law, this document is generally referred to as an Advance Health Care Directive. Although the title may sound awkward, it does explain the document's purpose. By filling one out, the member is giving directions on their medical care in advance of any possible incapacity. An Advance Health Care Directive may have one or two parts. One part is called a "Living Will." The other part is called a "Durable Health Care Power of Attorney." It is the member's choice whether they want only one or both of these parts. Each document is used to prepare for some kind of incapacity. Incapacity means the member is no longer able to make medical decisions for him or her self, whether it be temporary, such as unconsciousness resulting from a car accident but should recover, or terminal such as placement on life support machines. A "Durable Health Care Power of Attorney" is a document in which the member can appoint an individual, or individuals, to act as their agent with respect to all health care matters. The document does not expire, but only becomes active if the member is unable to make informed decisions regarding their medical treatment options. In the document, the member can set out specific conditions authorizing or limiting their agent's power to agree to certain types of medical treatments. It does not authorize or require the agent to make end-of-life decisions such as whether to remove the member from life support. A "Living Will" gives directions for the member's family and their medical provider in the event of terminal incapacity. This is the member's chance to tell their doctor if the member wants life support, artificial feeding, organ transplants or blood transfusions to help keep them alive. The member can also signal if they wish to donate their organs for transplants or scientific research after death. A Living Will is only for people who know they wish to be taken off life support in the event of terminal incapacity. If the member does not know, then no Living Will is needed. One general word of caution, each Advance Health Care Directive is written according with individual state law. While use of an Advance Health Care Directive is legal in California, it may not be in another state, or different wording may be required, depending upon that state's laws. A person who wishes to sign an Advance Health Care Directive should consult the laws of the state of which he or she is a resident or talk with an attorney who is knowledgeable about such laws. Also members should review their documents from time to time, especially when there is a change in health or family status. If changes need to be made, members can draft and distribute new documents with the help of the legal office. Once the new documents are completed, the old documents should be destroyed to avoid confusion.