Improving Access to Advanced Care Planning Act

Bill 117 HR 8840, also known as the Improving Access to Advanced Care Planning Act, aims to improve access to advanced care planning services for individuals in the United States. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 15, 2021, by Representative Earl Blumenauer from Oregon.

The main goal of this legislation is to ensure that individuals have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care preferences. Advanced care planning involves discussions between individuals, their families, and healthcare providers about the type of care they would like to receive if they become seriously ill or incapacitated.

Specifically, the bill seeks to increase awareness about advanced care planning by providing funding for public education campaigns and training programs for healthcare providers. It also aims to improve access to advanced care planning services by expanding Medicare coverage for these services and providing grants to states to support the implementation of advanced care planning programs. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that advanced care planning documents, such as advance directives and living wills, are easily accessible and transferable between healthcare providers. This is intended to ensure that individuals' end-of-life care preferences are honored and respected, regardless of where they receive care. Overall, the Improving Access to Advanced Care Planning Act is designed to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care and to ensure that their wishes are respected by healthcare providers. It is a bipartisan effort to improve access to advanced care planning services and promote greater transparency and communication in healthcare decision-making.