Went out for dinner last night family, and I learned astounding news. Did you know that when your child turns 18, if there is no health care proxy, a doctor doesn’t need to talk to the parent? The doctors don’t need to confide, consult or discuss anything relating to your child. They are legally an adult without a healthcare proxy if something happens, by law, you have no rights as a parent.

A health care proxy (also known as a durable power of attorney for health care, medical power of attorney or appointment of a healthcare agent) is a document that lets you to appoint another person (a proxy or agent) to express your wishes and make health care decisions for you if you can not speak for yourself.

It was pretty eye-opening and scary at the same time. I immediately got a copy of the healthcare form that my daughter will have to sign with two witnesses. I will enclose the copy of the form on my post as well. For all of us to have chronic illnesses and are not married, we too should have a healthcare proxy. The copy of the form is linked below. I urge everyone to have one for your children until they are married and to have one for yourself.

http://www.nysba.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=63499