The New York Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint someone you trust - for example, a family member or close friend - to make health care decisions for you if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. By appointing a health care agent, you can make sure that health care providers follow your wishes.

Link to New York State Health Care Proxy

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/hospital/healthcareproxy/intro.htm