A number of years ago, Congress passed a law entitled the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") that limits disclosure of "Individually Identifiable Health Information." A HIPAA Authorization authorizes your health care providers to give your personal, protected medical information to any person(s) designated by you in the Authorization. By enabling the person(s) you have designated in a HIPAA authorization to obtain your medical information from health care providers, you would be able to discuss and obtain advice from your family and/or friends about your health care matters and your agents named in your Powers of Attorney (discussed above) would be able to obtain what they need to take care of you and your business in the event of your disability or incapacity. The Authorization becomes effective at the time you sign it and is not affected by your subsequent disability or incapacity.