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Health Care Agent

A legal document that gives authority to a trusted person to make any and all medical decisions if a person is unable to do so.

With respect to end-of-life planning, this document is typically part of an Advance Directive, a series of legal documents that state the type of medical care you would like to receive, or who you may want to speak on your behalf, if you lack the capacity to do so during a medical emergency.

Also known as Medical Power of Attorney.