09-R246
2009 -- S 0857
Enacted 05/12/09
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
SUPPORTING THE
INCREASED AWARENESS AND USE OF ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVES
Introduced By: Senators C Levesque, and Perry
Date Introduced: April 22, 2009
WHEREAS, All Rhode
Islanders value dignity, independence and self-determination;
and
WHEREAS, There are unfortunate circumstances during which one might
lose the ability
to express decisions about one's medical and personal
care preferences; and
WHEREAS, It is important for adults to consider and express such
wishes in advance, as
accident or illness can befall any individual at any time; and
WHEREAS,
directives, including the durable power of attorney for health
care and the living will, which may
be signed on a voluntary basis; and
WHEREAS, The Federal
Patient Self-Determination Act requires hospitals, nursing
homes, hospice organizations and home health agencies to
inform patients about their rights,
under state law, to control their medical treatment and
provide advanced directives; and
WHEREAS, It is essential
for health care providers to know an individual's wishes and
the identity of the designated surrogate decision-maker.
Signing an advance directive not only
ensures the wishes of an individual are carried out but it
can also significantly reduced health care
costs, and may spare loved ones the complex task of making difficult
and emotional medical and
personal care decisions; and
WHEREAS, Numerous technological advances, including the use of
electronically-
transmitted advance directive documentation and online advance directive
registries, have
improved the advanced medical decision-making process; and
WHEREAS, Despite such improvements,
informational and emotional barriers to the effective use of
advance directives. There is a
continuing need for education and for allowing each individual a
meaningful opportunity to
exercise his or her right; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of
hereby respectfully requests that the Rhode Island
Department of Administration, in partnership
with the Rhode Island Department of Health, develop a plan
to provide educational information
to all state employees receiving health insurance
coverage through the state, regarding advanced
directives for medical decision-making; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That this Senate hereby respectfully requests the
Department of Human
Services to consider the
formation of a similar plan for all Medicaid recipients within the State of
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized
and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the
Directors of the Departments of Health,
Administration, and Human Services.
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LC02163
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