§ 1 Definitions
§ 2 Appointment of health care agents; execution of proxy; alternate agents
§ 3 Eligibility to serve as agent
§ 4 Contents of proxy
§ 5 Authority of agent
§ 6 Incapacity of patient; regained capacity
§ 7 Revocation of proxy
§ 8 Liability of health care providers and agents
§ 9 Liability for health care costs
§ 10 Coercion; execution of proxy
§ 11 Foreign proxies; enforceability
§ 12 Suicide or mercy killing
§ 13 Pain alleviation; comfort care procedures
§ 14 Physicians; refusal to honor proxy
§ 15 Private facilities; refusal to honor proxy
§ 16 Lack of proxy; effect
§ 17 Disputes; court proceedings
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 201D - Health Care Proxies

  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC