PRINTER'S NO. 1469
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
263
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY KIM, YOUNGBLOOD, HENNESSEY, READSHAW, PASHINSKI,
BIZZARRO, TOOHIL, FREEMAN, DEAN, V. BROWN AND VAZQUEZ,
APRIL 18, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 18, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing April 16, 2017, as "National Healthcare Decisions
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania places the highest
priority on the health and well-being of all its residents; and
WHEREAS, Honoring patient preferences serves as a critical
element in providing quality end-of-life care; and
WHEREAS, Every adult has the right to decide their own health
care treatment; and
WHEREAS, Adults are provided the right to appoint a trusted
person as a health care agent or surrogate in order to make
health care decisions for them in the event of incapacity
through the execution of advance health care planning documents;
and
WHEREAS, The "National Healthcare Decisions Day" initiative
is a collaboration of national, state and community
organizations created to inspire, educate and empower the public
and providers about the importance of advance care planning; and
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WHEREAS, The "National Healthcare Decisions Day" observance
was founded in 2006 by Nathan Kottkamp under the name of
Virginia Advance Directives Day; and
WHEREAS, Since that time, "National Healthcare Decisions Day"
has evolved into a nationwide advocacy effort effective in
educating health care providers and the general public about the
importance of enabling patients to control the fate of their own
health care; and
WHEREAS, The "National Healthcare Decisions Day" theme for
2017 is "It always seems too early, until it's too late"; and
WHEREAS, For many years, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
maintained an antiquated method to enable its residents to make
health care decisions concerning powers of attorney and other
advance directives; and
WHEREAS, On November 29, 2006, Act 169 of 2006 was enacted,
significantly enhancing the right and ability of individuals to
control the fate of their own health care; and
WHEREAS, Despite this vital legislation, only a fraction of
adults in Pennsylvania have an advance directive in place; and
WHEREAS, Additional outreach and education is necessary to
ensure that the general public is better informed about the
utility of advance directives; and
WHEREAS, Advance directives normalize the concept and
conversation about preparing for possible end-of-life health
care decisions; and
WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations are strongly
encouraged to raise further awareness about "National Healthcare
Decisions Day" by utilizing outreach methods that include
conducting presentations, engaging faith-based communities,
hosting panel discussions and partnering with health care
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providers to convene local health fairs; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize April
16, 2017 as "National Healthcare Decisions Day" in Pennsylvania;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
adults in Pennsylvania to broach meaningful conversations with
family members, loved ones and primary care physicians about
planning ahead for possible end-of-life health care decisions.
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