A Practice Note explaining the Pennsylvania health care power of attorney, which an individual (the principal) can use to authorize an agent to act on the principal's behalf to make health care decisions for the principal. This Note provides information on the purpose and use of a health care power of attorney, drafting, and execution requirements, and advantages and limitations as related to other advance health care directives, including living wills, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) releases, do not resuscitate orders (DNR orders), and physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST).