OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Supporting The Goals And Ideals OF Plan Ahead With An Advance Directive Week

Date: Dec. 7, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Senior Citizens


SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PLAN AHEAD WITH AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE WEEK -- (House of Representatives - December 07, 2006)

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 934, legislation which supports the goals and ideals of Plan Ahead with an Advance Directive Week. Advance directives are an integral part of any care delivery plan. Simply put, advance directives are statements by competent persons which articulate that person's medical, legal and personal wishes regarding medical treatment in the event of future incapacity.

When advance directives are available, medical professionals, families and loved ones are best able to make critical care decisions should a patient become unable to make sound judgments about their health care.

This resolution encourages those 18 years of age and older to prepare advanced directives. It also encourages medical, civic, educational, religious, and other nonprofit education to promote advance directive preparation, particularly amongst their constituencies. Many organizations are already leading the effort to provide guidance for patients on advance directive preparation, including the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

H. Res. 934 enjoys the support of the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care, a coalition of leading U.S.-based palliative care organizations dedicated to address the needs of health care professionals who care for patients with advanced, chronic or life-threatening illnesses, as well as the needs of patients' families.

I would like to thank Representative Gingrey for bringing this resolution before us today, and I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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