Sec. 2. Findings
374 words·~2 min read·
/bill/115/s/1334/is/section-2·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress makes the following findings: The population of the United States is estimated to age rapidly, with the number of people over the age of 65 set to double to more than 98 million, or 1 in 5 Americans, by 2040. As Americans live longer and healthier lives, they also face increased incidence of multiple serious or chronic progressive conditions and advanced illness as they age. Americans with serious, chronic progressive, or advanced illness face a complicated and fragmented system of care delivery that puts them at risk for repeat hospitalizations, adverse drug reactions, and conflicting medical advice that may be overwhelming to individuals and families.
The progression of serious, chronic progressive, or advanced illness leads to the need for increasingly intensive decision support, health care services, and support from family caregivers. The complexity of care needed by individuals with serious, chronic progressive, or advanced illness may result in uncoordinated care, adverse health outcomes, frustration, wasted time, and undue emotional burdens on individuals and their family caregivers. Numerous private sector leaders, including hospitals, health systems, home health agencies, hospice programs, long-term care providers, employers, and other entities, have put in place innovative solutions to provide more comprehensive and coordinated care for Americans living with serious, chronic progressive, or advanced illness.
Hospice and palliative care programs offer patients and families appropriate and patient-centered care, delivered by an interdisciplinary care team. These programs should serve as models for serious, chronic progressive, or advanced illness care delivery. Individuals have the well-established right to accept or reject medical treatment that is offered and all individuals should be afforded the opportunity to fully participate in decisions related to their health care. Too often, individuals with serious, chronic progressive, or advanced illness do not understand the conditions they are facing or their treatment options, and they do not receive the information or support they need to evaluate treatment options in light of their personal goals and values and to document treatment plans in a manner that allows providers and facilities to follow their plans.
Providing high-quality advanced care planning services and supports to individuals with serious, chronic progressive, or advanced illness will protect and preserve their dignity and ensure care is aligned with an individual’s goals, values, and stated preferences.