Massachusetts health care proxy authority
Massachusetts law lets a competent adult appoint a health care agent through a written health care proxy.
Massachusetts · Effective · Effective Dec 19, 1990
What it is
- What changed
- Massachusetts gives adults a statutory route to appoint a health care agent who can make medical decisions if the person cannot make or communicate them.
- Why it matters
- Caregivers often need clear legal authority before hospitals, clinicians, or facilities will accept decisions during incapacity or serious illness.
- Who it touches
- Family caregivers, Care providers and plans, People receiving careadults planning future care, family caregivers, health care agents, clinicians, serious illness patients
Sources
Last reviewed Jun 18, 2026. This is information, not legal advice; check the source for the current text.