[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 97 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H4218-H4219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PERSONALIZE YOUR CARE ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues a very simple 
question: Can this Congress approve legislation that is supported by 
over 85 percent of the American public that is truly bipartisan 
legislation, with distinguished Republican cosponsors, and will not 
cost anything and, in fact, could even save billions of dollars? Can we 
give the American public something they not only want, but they need 
and to which they're entitled?
  I would hope so. I would hope that Congress could act on the 
Personalize Your Care Act, H.R. 1173, which I've introduced along with 
Dr. Roe, Mr. Reed, Mr. Hanna, Dr. McDermott, and Dr. Bera.
  I would make part of the Record survey research by the Regence 
Foundation and the National Journal that shows overwhelming public 
support for this type of protection for families. Ninety-six percent of 
Americans surveyed said it was important that these health and end-of-
life issues be a top priority for our health care system; 97 percent 
agree that it's important that patients and their families be educated 
about palliative care and end-of-life option treatments available, 
along with curative treatment; and 86 percent agree that these 
discussions about palliative care and end-of-life treatment should be 
fully covered by health insurance.
  Americans agree that people need to know what faces them in difficult 
situations approaching end of life or when people are temporarily 
unable to make medical decisions for themselves. But Medicare, which 
will pay tens of thousands of dollars for a full hip replacement for a 
93-year-old woman with terminal cancer, will not authorize a couple 
hundred dollars for her and her family to have medical consultation 
about her personal choices and circumstances for the future. Our 
legislation will change that.
  There have been fascinating studies about how doctors die differently 
from the rest of us because they know what works and what doesn't. 
Doctors, it turns out, tend to consume health care much differently and 
often less in their final year of life. It's not that they don't 
understand. It's not that they don't have access to health care. They 
can afford it. They just know their situation better than the rest of 
us, they know what works, they know what they want, and usually that 
means comfort and quality of life and more control.
  Our legislation will be a small, but important, step to make sure 
that every American is treated like a doctor in their last year of 
life: knowing their choices, knowing their prospects, being able to 
identify what they want, and make sure that their wishes are known and 
respected.
  I don't think there are any of us on the floor of the House who has 
not felt some frustration. Can't we get something done? Here's an 
opportunity that doesn't depend upon what your view of ObamaCare is. 
Whether it's implemented, delayed, or repealed doesn't matter.

                              {time}  1015

  This is legislation that doesn't need to cost anything. It actually 
will end up saving money, but money is not the point.
  Can we act together to do something for the public, show that we're 
not paralyzed, that we can work together, that

[[Page H4219]]

we can make progress in a difficult environment?
  I would urge my colleagues to join the bipartisan and growing list of 
Members who have cosponsored the Personalize Your Care Act, H.R. 1173. 
Some day Congress is going to deal with the vast looming crisis we 
face. In the meantime, helping patients understand their choices and 
make their wishes known and respected is an important step to start.

  Survey Research From the Regence Foundation and the National Journal


Americans agree that discussions about palliative care and end-of-life 
             care treatment options should be fully covered

       Now, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the 
     following statements regarding these health and life issues.
       Discussions about palliative care and end-of-life care 
     treatment options should be fully covered by health 
     insurance: 86% agree.
       Discussions about palliative care and end-of-life care 
     treatment options should be fully covered by Medicare: 81% 
     agree.


 Americans of all stripes say it's important for these issues to be a 
                top priority for the health care system

       Now that you've heard some more information, how important 
     is it that these health and life issues be a top priority for 
     the health care system in this country?
       96%: important.
       72%: `very' important.


 Americans widely agree on the importance of educating patients about 
             their options and the value of a public debate

       Now, please tell me whether you agree to disagree with the 
     following statements regarding these health and life issues.
       It is important that patients and their families be 
     educated about palliative care and end-of-life care options 
     available to them along with curative treatment: 97% agree.
       A public dialogue and debate about these health and life 
     issues will help patients and their families by providing 
     them with more information about their treatment options: 86% 
     agree.

                          ____________________