A health care proxy is a power of attorney that allows an agent to make health care ecisions in the event that the primary individual is incapable of executing such decisions. Once the document is drafted, the primary individual continues to be allowed to make healthcare decisions as long as they are still competent to do so. Health care proxies are permitted in forty-nine states as well as the District of Columbia. Health care proxies are by no means mandatory; rather they allow the patient's wishes to be followed even when he/she is incapable of communicating them.