The ?Blood Card? and DPA have been combined into one document that folds into a business card size. (Unfolded it measures 6.75 x 8.5 inches / 17 x 21.5 cm.) This document is called the ?Advance Health Care Directive? (AHCD). It still features the iconic NO BLOOD with the red circle/bar around a blood dispenser. It is designed to be carried on your person, although copies should be made for various persons, including your ?health-care agent? (the person you authorize to make medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated), your doctor, and the congregation secretary (not required, but recommended).
One of the reasons for the AHCD is that it has been recognized that not all (most?) JWs have not been completing the DPA document, and instead relying on the classic blood card. By combining the two, the WTS can provide complete legal protection for refusal of blood.
Each state of the USA will have its own custom tailored AHCD to conform to state laws.
Another feature of the AHCD is the multiple choice options based on the recent understanding of blood ?parts.? The following is quoted from the AHCD (the bold is part of the original text):
2. I am one of Jehovah?s Witnesses, and I direct that NO TRANSFUSIONS of whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or plasma be given me under any circumstances, even if health-care providers believe that such are necessary to preserve my life. I refuse to predonate and store my blood for later infusion. 3. Regarding minor fractions of blood: [Initial those that apply] a) ____ I REFUSE ALL (b) ____I REFUSE ALL EXCEPT:_____ (c) I may be willing to accept some minor blood fractions, but the details will have to be discussed with me if I am conscious or with my health-care agent in case of my incapacity. 4. Regarding medical procedures involving the use of my own blood, except diagnostic procedures, such as blood samples for testing: [initial those that apply] a) ____ I REFUSE ALL (b) ____ I REFUSE ALL EXCEPT:_____ (c) I may be willing to accept certain medical procedures involving my blood, but the details will have to be discussed with me if I am conscious or with my health-care agent in case of my incapacity.
A ?Health-Care Agent,? and ?Alternate Health-Care Agent? and two witnesses (in the legal sense, that is) are required to sign as well as the cardholder. It was stated that the health-care agent is not liable legally or for costs arising from the situation.
The AHCD is valid indefinitely, although any changes to the document require new signatures. The old ?Identity Card? used by un-baptized minors is still to be used. Non-JWs may copy the document for themselves but are not to use the official AHCD.
JWs are currently instructed not to complete, or even fold the AHCD (this is because you need to copy the card, and Big Brother is afraid of creases). The book study overseers will have further instructions at a later time. No doubt, this provision will also ensure compliance. Until this happens JWs are encouraged to research recent Watchtower and Awake! articles dealing with blood so as to complete the AHCD with a Bible-trained conscience.
IMO most JWs will sign off ?I REFUSE ALL.? This thinking was re-enforced by a very strong talk immediately after the introduction of the AHCD entitled ?The Role of Your Conscience.? During this talk the classic double-edge reasoning was given, essentially: JWs live by principles, but if anyone else is offended, we live by their principles. The WTS is clearly speaking out of both sides of its mouth when it comes to blood and conscience.
Reference for review: Watchtower 6/15/00, 10/15/00; Awake! 1/8/00, 10/22/91.