ICN Legislative Volunteers
Lee Sampson
Martha Steinman
Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 1999 - Commentary (In the Senate, S. 628 - In the House, H. R. 1149)
(Written for the ICN by Martha Steinman) End of life decision making, now a lively topic among our senators and representatives, may be a subject we would prefer to ignore. However, in the same way that we do advance planning by purchasing insurance, this act would ensure that our choices, concerning the last days of our lives and our treatment or non-treatment, would be honored.With the Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 1999, a free, 24-hour hotline providing information about end of life decision making would be established. Patients, confined to or residing within health care facilities, would have the resources of appropriately trained counselors with whom to discuss their advance directives and related issues. Then, once those decisions were made, the directives would become a prominent part of the patient's medical records. Portability of the directives from one state to another would be guaranteed as long as the patient's wishes did not conflict with the laws of the state in which (s)he was living at the time of such need. This bill is further strengthened with the provision that Medicare will cover the cost of self-administered, prescription pain medications taken "for the relief of chronic pain in patients with a life-threatening disease or condition." Since current Medicare coverage applies only to pain medications administered by way of a portable pump, this proposed legislation is an indisputable improvement.
The time to act is now. Advance directives must be honored and respected. Ensure it. Urge your representatives in Congress to vote for the Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 1999. Let those facing the end of life choose how to live their final days. Let it be with dignity.