Power of Attorney Over Health Care:
A common question we are asked at our law firm is: do you provide power of attorney services? And the answer is: yes, we do. The object of this post is to specifically discuss a power of attorney over health care.
Senate Bill 1596 has passed the legislature and been approved by the Governor for the State of Oklahoma at the end of April, 2022. It created the “Oklahoma Health Care Agent Act”. Under the Act a person with capacity may execute a power of attorney for health care, which may authorize the agent to make any health care decision the patient could have made while having capacity other than withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment or hydration under the Oklahoma Advance Directive Act. The power shall be in writing notwithstanding the principal’s later incapacity and may include individual instructions.
You have the right to give instructions about your own health care. You also have the right to name someone else to make health care decisions for you. This form lets you do either or both of these things.
Unless the form you sign limits the authority of your agent, your agent may make all health care decisions for you. The form has a place for you to limit the authority of your agent. You need not limit the authority of your agent if you wish to rely on your agent for all health care decisions that may have to be made.
If you choose not to limit the authority of your agent, your agent will have the right to:
1. Consent or refuse to consent to any care, treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or otherwise affect a physical or mental condition;
2. Select or discharge health care providers and facilities; and,
3. Sign a do-not-resuscitate consent.
If you are in need of Power of Attorney Services, and in particular desire to sign off on a Power of Attorney Over Health Care: do not hesitate in calling us. We can be found at: 918-286-8001.
