Senators introduce bill designed to encourage advance directives

Sens. Richard Lugar, R-IN, and Bill Nelson, D-FL, have introduced AHA-backed legislation (S. 347) designed to improve individuals’ access to information about their health care options near the end of life should they be unable to make health care decisions for themselves. In an April 5 letter to the bill’s sponsors, AHA Executive Vice President Rick Pollack said, “Hospitals and health care systems across America do their best to properly educate individuals about of all the choices they may face when making end-of-life medical decisions. Your legislation to encourage and pay for seniors to seek such guidance from their physician in advance will increase the likelihood of seniors’ use of advance directives and lead to better decision-making. We applaud your leadership on this issue and support enactment of this legislation.” (via AHA News)