Recent advances in medical science have made it possible to prolong life beyond the natural limit through the use of artificial or extraordinary medical and surgical procedures. Traditionally, you must give your consent before undergoing any such procedures. Now, in cases where you are unconscious or otherwise unable to accept or reject medical or surgical treatment. In all states  you can make such decisions in advance, by using one or more "advance directives" such as a Living Will or Health Care Power of Attorney (sometimes called a "health care proxy").

A Living Will is a signed and notarized legal document in which you decide, prior to becoming unconscious or incompetent, your decision to have life sustaining procedures withheld or withdrawn under certain conditions. A Living Will enables you to state that you want to die naturally and not be kept alive by artificial means. Effective as of December 1, 1991, federal law requires nursing homes and hospitals to provide written information to patients describing their rights to execute living wills and medical powers of attorney; to ask whether a patient has executed these documents; and to document this information in the patient's medical record.

A Health Care Power of Attorney is a signed and notarized legal document in which you give to another person the power to make decisions about your medical treatment if you are unable to do so, for example, when a decision is need in connection with a biopsy, amputation or life support, when the grantor is normally under sedation.