The AAFP was among organizations cited by Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in an April 6 media release urging colleagues to support legislation that encourages Americans to complete advance medical directives.
The attention came on the heels of a March 29 letter to Nelson in which AAFP Board Chair Michael Fleming, M.D., of Shreveport, La., expressed the Academy's support of the legislation.
Visit Nelson's Web site and scroll down to read the release, "Living-Wills Legislation Gains Broad Support."
Nelson has introduced two bills: the Advance Directives Improvement and Education Act of 2005, or S.347, and the Advance Directives Education Act of 2005, or S.570.
The Advance Directives Improvement and Education Act calls for covering one office visit during which Medicare beneficiaries would discuss end-of-life medical preferences and living wills. It also would fund an HHS public education campaign to increase awareness about living wills.
Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., has said he plans to introduce companion legislation in the House.
Academy Backs Living-Will Legislation Introduced in Senate
By Leslie Champlin
4/8/2005
Visit These Additional Resources
Aging with Dignity offers its "Five Wishes" document to help patients and families attend to their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs at the end of life.
The Center for Practical Bioethics offers the Caring Conversations program, a consumer education initiative to help individuals and their families make practical preparations for end-of-life decisions and offers pragmatic help with advance directives.
The American Bar Association also provides information regarding advance directives.
Aging with Dignity offers its "Five Wishes" document to help patients and families attend to their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs at the end of life.
The Center for Practical Bioethics offers the Caring Conversations program, a consumer education initiative to help individuals and their families make practical preparations for end-of-life decisions and offers pragmatic help with advance directives.
The American Bar Association also provides information regarding advance directives.
AAFP's policy statement on this issue, "Core Principles for End-of-life Care," delineates 11 values, including respect for the dignity of patients and caregivers and sensitivity to the patient's and family's wishes. The Academy also offers comprehensive patient education about living wills.
