New York State convened a "Task Force on Life and the Law" in 1985 to study and develop public policy on a range of controversial and difficult issues that fall under the collective heading of "medical ethics." Some of the issues addressed by this task force since then have included organ and tissue donation, do-not-resuscitate orders and life-sustaining treatments.

Over the past two decades the recommendations of the Task Force on Life and the Law, which operates under the direction of the state Health Department, have led to new state laws and regulations including, in 1991, the creation of what’s known in New York as the "health care proxy."

Attention to the availability of New York’s health care proxy has had highs and lows over the past 17 years.  A recent survey by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, for example, showed that while many upstate New York residents are aware of health care proxies and living wills, fewer have taken steps to put one or the other into place.  

Still a survey like this one means that many people, for the first time, will hear about or finally wonder about a health care proxy. Consequently, I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know how and where to find more information on its availability. 

For anyone unfamiliar with what a health care proxy form is intended to do, it’s pretty straightforward. It helps answer the question, "Who will speak for me should an illness or an accident leave me unable to speak for myself?" A health care proxy allows you to appoint someone you trust to make health care decisions for you should you become unable, even temporarily, to make these decisions for yourself. It doesn’t require a lawyer. It’s cost-free. It does, however, require your careful and thoughtful consideration.

The New York State Department of Health web site provides valuable information on the health care proxy and other advanced care decisions. It offers an online form that can be downloaded and printed for use, facts about the health care proxy form, and answers to frequently asked questions like the following:

> Why should I choose a health care agent?

> How do I appoint a health care agent?

> What decisions can my health care agent make?

> Why do I need to appoint a health care agent if I’m young and healthy?

> Who will pay attention to my agent?

These are some of the central -- and very difficult -- questions on the minds of many today.