TITLE: Recognizing April 16 to 22, 2017, as National Healthcare Decisions Week.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 16 to 22, 2017, as National Healthcare Decisions Week.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The observance of National Healthcare Decisions Week from April 16 to 22, 2017, is designed to raise awareness of the importance of advance care planning; and WHEREAS, Although the nation has made great strides in providing end-of-life care, it has fallen short in ensuring that terminally ill patients receive care that is in keeping with their values, goals, and preferences; a 2014 report by the Institute of Medicine called for significant reforms in this regard, emphasizing that all individuals should have the opportunity to actively participate in decisions about the care they receive in the last stages of life; and WHEREAS, Individuals can communicate their end-of-life desires to health care providers by means of advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney; such documents are a gift to loved ones, saving them from the struggle of trying to divine wishes that were never expressed; and WHEREAS, Many Texans have not prepared advance directives, and the problem is particularly acute among Mexican Americans and other minority populations; in Hidalgo County, which is more than 90 percent Hispanic, advocates are working to encourage timely discussions of end-of-life wishes and to demystify the planning process through La Conversacion Valiosa, a program presented in conjunction with the Texas Health Institute; and WHEREAS, This special week reminds Texans that the process of communicating patient preferences should be initiated at the earliest possible stage and that advance care directives should be updated periodically to offer peace of mind to patients and loved ones alike; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 16 to 22, 2017, as National Healthcare Decisions Week and commend all those associated with La Conversacion Valiosa for their efforts to facilitate advance care planning. Guerra Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 658 was adopted by the House on March 16, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House