Health Care Directive or Health Care Power of Attorney

What is a Health Care Directive?
A health care directive is a written document that informs other of your wishes about your health care. It allows you to name a person (“agent”) to decide for you if you are unable to decide. It also allows you to name an agent if you want someone else to decide for you. You must be at least 18 years old to make a health care directive.

Why Have a Health Care Directive?
A health care directive is important if your attending physician determines you can’t communicate your health care choices (because of physical or mental incapacity). It is also important if you wish to have someone else make your health care decisions. In some circumstances, your directive may state that you want someone other than an attending physician to decide when you cannot make your own decisions.

Must I Have a Health Care Directive? What Happens if I Don’t Have One?
You don’t have to have a health care directive. But, writing one helps to make sure your wishes are followed. You will still receive medical treatment if you don’t have a written directive. Health care providers will listen to what people close to you say about your treatment preferences, but the best way to be sure your wishes are followed is to have a health care directive.

What if I am competent to make my own health care decisions?
Unless you stipulate otherwise, your health care agent makes decisions for you only if you are no longer able to make health care decisions for yourself.

If I have filled out a Living Will, do I also need a DPAHC?
It is a good idea to complete a DPAHC in addition to a Living Will, or to combine them in one document. A Living Will usually allows you to state your desires regarding life-sustaining treatment in the event that you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. Most states include these types of instructions in their DPAHC forms. By selecting a health care agent through a DPAHC, you ensure that someone you trust will oversee decisions and implement your wishes regarding any treatment, not just life-sustaining treatment.

Who should I choose as a health care agent?
You should choose a person whom you trust, such as a spouse, partner, family member or close friend. The person you choose should know your personal values and beliefs. If possible, you will want to choose someone who lives in your area in case he or she is called upon to direct your treatment for an extended period of time. You will want to discuss your health care wishes with your agent and be sure he or she is willing to act on your behalf. Many states will not allow your health care provider or anyone working in a health facility to be a health care agent.

Can I choose an alternate health care agent?
Yes. You should choose at least one alternate person to act as your health care agent in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to make health care decisions for you.

How do I execute a DPAHC?
You must be at least 18 years of age and mentally competent to execute a valid DPAHC. You must sign your DPAHC form. Most states will also require qualified adult witnesses and/or a notary public to sign the DPAHC, acknowledging that you are competent and acting under your own volition. No attorney is required. If you are in a nursing home, other witnessing requirements may apply.

I Prepared My Directive in Another State. Is It Still Good?
Health care directives prepared in other states are legal if they meet the requirements of the other state’s laws or the California’s requirements. But requests for assisted suicide will not be followed.

What If My Health Care Provider Refuses to Follow My Health Care Directive?
Your health care provider generally will follow your health care directive, or any instructions from your agent, as long as the health care follows reasonable medical practice. But, you or your agent cannot request treatment that will not help you or which the provider cannot provide. If the provider cannot follow your agent’s directions about life-sustaining treatment, the provider must inform the agent. The provider must also document the notice in your medical record. The provider must allow the agency to arrange to transfer you to another provider who will follow the agent’s directions.

What If I’ve Already Prepared a Health Care Document? Is It Still Good?
California law provided for several other types of directives, including living wills, durable health care powers of attorney and mental health declarations. The law changed so people can use one form for all their health care instructions. Older forms are still legal if they followed the law in effect when written. They are also legal if they meet the requirements of the new law (described above). You may want to review any existing documents to make sure they say what you want and meet all requirements.

What Should I Do With My Health Care Directive After I Have Signed It?
You should inform others of your health care directive and give people copies of it. You may wish to inform family members, your health care agent or agents, and your health care providers that you have a health care directive. You should give them a copy. It’s a good idea to review and update your directive as your needs change. Keep it in a safe place where it is easily found.

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Democratic power dwindles in central TX

Updated: Wednesday, 03 Nov 2010, 3:03 AM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 03 Nov 2010, 2:59 AM CDT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - One after the other, Democrats took the stage at the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin Tuesday night to rally the crowd to push through with hopes held high. The early voting numbers did not look good, and for a time most of the Democratic incumbents from Travis County were trailing their opponents.

By midnight, only one Democratic leader remained inside the historic hotel’s ballroom. Rep. Donna Howard , D-Austin, had narrowly won her third term in the western Travis County House District 48 seat. She stayed to thank supporters in person then took out her cell phone, sitting in the corner to call more supporters.

Howard won by just 15 votes, with rumors of a possible recount on the horizon. Her GOP challenger, Dan Neil – a former University of Texas Longhorn and Denver Bronco – was considering that move, according to his campaign manager.

“I feel like we weren’t out-worked,” Neil said. “We were going to go out there and try to get the message out to the voters. And we were successful at doing that by going door-to-door. I think that was the strength of our campaign was going to each individual voters door, and talking to them on a one-on-one basis.”

That approach was not enough for Rep. Valinda Bolton , D-Austin, as she sought her third term representing the southwestern Travis County House District 47. Upon her loss, she wished Republican businessman Paul Workman “all the best in his new role.”

Of her defeated Democratic neighbor, Howard acknowledged the tough work ahead with this election’s huge Republican gains.

“I'm very disappointed that a lot of my colleagues that I have a lot of respect for aren't going to be back,” Howard said. “It's going to be a real challenge here to build coalitions that can work together to come up with some common ground solutions, but I'm looking forward to going back and being a part of that."

"Whatever the signal the voters are sending tonight, it is not that we want one-party rule,” said Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, who won his tightly contested race in House District 50. “It is not that we want one party running over the other party. It is that they want bipartisanship.

Little-known Republicans made up the majority of those winners against longtime incumbents, upsets in traditionally Democratic districts like those in Travis County.

With incomplete returns at midnight, it looked like Republicans would gain as many as 22 seats to its House majority, now 77-73. It was thought the gain would only be 6 to 10 seats before. This could mean major changes in several important political areas, especially the way Texas redistricts next spring.

Now, political strategists across the state are closely watching the race for House Speaker. Favored by many Democrats, current Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, might find a challenge with a new dose of conservative power. He could find the greatest opponent in conservative Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa. It took a bolster of Democrats’ votes in 2008 for Straus to bump Tom Craddick, R-Midland, from the Speaker’s seat.

Next session’s speaker will have to deal with redistricting maps, quite possibly leaning favorably toward the GOP. The influx of freshman Republicans could, however, help close the state’s budget deficit of an estimated $25 billion, as they are expected to resist raising taxes.
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Corvallis wins "Green Power community year EPA '.

By: Nancy Raskauskas | Posted the | 20 October 2010 | Without comments.

Corvallis received an award 2010 Green Power of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recognition of its commitment and contribution to help advance the development of
market voluntary green power in the country.
Director of public works Steve Rogers accepted the award on behalf of the Corvallis community tonight (20 October) in Portland, with a demonstration held in conjunction with the Conference 2010 renewable energy markets.
In 2001, Corvallis city has become one of the first municipalities in the country of purchase of renewable energy, sign for 100 kwh per month – about 1.5% of the electrical charge of the Organization - through
Program blue sky Pacifique.En 2005 power, the city has increased its purchase approximately 7% and became the first city on the West Coast to receive the designation of the EPA as a community of green energy.Adding other purchasers of green power Corvallis (Oregon State University, residents and businesses), total electricity generated from green energy community is now over 100 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) or near 15%.
Green energy is electricity generated from renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and hydro.These resources produce electricity with a net zero carbon dioxide emissions increase while being better for the environment that traditionnelle.énergie green power generation sources also purchases support the development of new sources of renewable energy production throughout the country.
Spending the Organization of the city on Blue Sky for nearly 10 years was approximately $ 52,000 when most of these funds to promote the development of clean energy, the city facilities saw its investment .the robust financial performance ' last year, the city received a grant from the power of Pacific Blue Sky ($ determine) to install a fire station No. have 2008 photovoltaic system, status of Corvallis community Green Power attracted by the Energy Trust of Oregon here to launch first program Community energy State .Au course challenge energy Corvallis year Energy Trust-funded energy audits,
advertising, sponsorship, solar assessment programs publics.Au one-half of the 112 on $000 Energy Trust on the challenge has gone directly to the people in this community.

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Corvallis wins "Green Power community year EPA '.

By: Nancy Raskauskas | Posted the | 20 October 2010 | Without comments.

Corvallis received an award 2010 Green Power of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recognition of its commitment and contribution to help advance the development of
market voluntary green power in the country.
Director of public works Steve Rogers accepted the award on behalf of the Corvallis community tonight (20 October) in Portland, with a demonstration held in conjunction with the Conference 2010 renewable energy markets.
In 2001, Corvallis city has become one of the first municipalities in the country of purchase of renewable energy, sign for 100 kwh per month – about 1.5% of the electrical charge of the Organization - through
Program blue sky Pacifique.En 2005 power, the city has increased its purchase approximately 7% and became the first city on the West Coast to receive the designation of the EPA as a community of green energy.Adding other purchasers of green power Corvallis (Oregon State University, residents and businesses), total electricity generated from green energy community is now over 100 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) or near 15%.
Green energy is electricity generated from renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and hydro.These resources produce electricity with a net zero carbon dioxide emissions increase while being better for the environment that traditionnelle.énergie green power generation sources also purchases support the development of new sources of renewable energy production throughout the country.
Spending the Organization of the city on Blue Sky for nearly 10 years was approximately $ 52,000 when most of these funds to promote the development of clean energy, the city facilities saw its investment .the robust financial performance ' last year, the city received a grant from the power of Pacific Blue Sky ($ determine) to install a fire station No. have 2008 photovoltaic system, status of Corvallis community Green Power attracted by the Energy Trust of Oregon here to launch first program Community energy State .Au course challenge energy Corvallis year Energy Trust-funded energy audits,
advertising, sponsorship, solar assessment programs publics.Au one-half of the 112 on $000 Energy Trust on the challenge has gone directly to the people in this community.

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