X-Message-Number: 2203
From: 
Subject: CRYONICS: Relatives - FAQ FIX
Date: Wed,  5 May 93 02:12:18 PDT

To Cryonet
>From Steve Bridge, President
Alcor Life Extension Foundation
May 4, 1993

     In Message # , there is a big clunking hole in the text, left 
because I sent a version I was editing rather than the final version.  
The correction is added here.  My apologies for any confusion beyond my 
own.

********

     Up until about two years, Alcor required that prospective members 
complete a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care to validate their 
suspension arrangements.  ["Durable" is a required term -- it means 
that it only takes effect when the patient becomes incompetent to manage 
his own health care.]   This document gives the  "Attorney-in-fact" or 
"Medical Surrogate" the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of 
a patient who is unconscious or otherwise incompetent.  This authority 
is essential to make sure both that you get the kind of medical care 
necessary for your survival in the hospital and that this kind of care 
can be ENDED when it is obvious that it will do more harm than good 
(from the cryonicist's point of view).

     We stopped making it a *sign-up* requirement; but still intended to 
press members to fill them out.  Unfortunately, that was not always 
done, and we may consider again making this a required document.

     It is now our recommendation (not yet a "requirement" either; but 
we are considering it) that a Patient's Durable Power of Attorney for 
Health Care  give the authority for medical care to someone who is a 
*cryonicist* and not a relative.   If you have a relative who is a 
cryonicist, that will often be okay.  But it is a poor idea in most 
cases to give that power to a relative who may not understand your 
needs.  Having even well-intentioned non-cryonicists making members' 
medical decisions has sometimes led to less-than ideal suspensions, 
including longer ischemic times and inappropriate medical care. 

****************************************************************

end of correction
Steve Bridge

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