[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 26, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            END OF LIFE CARE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, we have a health care crisis in this 
country, but one few have heard about because we don't think about it 
until it hits us or our family, but it almost always does.
  As we approach the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, 
that tragedy might serve as an illustration. Who in that crowd in 
Boston, almost a year ago, thought they would be facing not just life-
or-death medical decisions, but about who would decide whether a leg 
would be amputated or not?
  Who speaks for our loved ones when they can't speak for themselves? 
Who speaks for us when we are unable to speak? And how would they know 
what we want? This has profound implications.
  Over 80 percent of Americans feel they want to spend their last days 
at home, surrounded by loved ones, lucid, aware, and enjoying their 
company. Unfortunately, about three-quarters of us spend our last days 
in a hospital, maybe in ICU, with tubes up our noses and heavily 
sedated. Is that exactly what we want? Who decides? And how will people 
know what my decisions or your decisions might be?
  The failure for us to deal with this issue--whether it is the health 
care system, the Federal Government, individual families--can lead to 
tragic consequences. People can get the wrong care, be removed from 
their loved ones, sometimes get intrusive, expensive, and painful care 
when that is not their wish, drugged and helpless.
  The failure doesn't just lead to unwanted care and pain, denying 
people the treatment they want, but it can have huge consequences on 
families. The loved ones left can be racked by guilt and uncertainty 
that can increase the trauma and the depression after the passing of a 
loved one. Commentators as diverse as Billy Graham and Dr. Bill Frist 
have spoken out eloquently about this need for all of us to spare our 
loved one's doubt and uncertainty.
  This is an interesting test for Congress. Can we take steps that are 
supported by over 90 percent of the population that will lead to better 
patient care and satisfaction that empowers families to face medical 
emergencies the way they want?
  This is, it should be noted, not just an issue for someone who is 
elderly with a terminal disease. Any of the bright, young people on 
Capitol Hill living away from home, perhaps for the first time, perhaps 
with some friends, can fall and suffer a concussion slipping on the ice 
or in a soccer game or in a car accident.
  What have we done on Capitol Hill to make sure we know in each office 
who speaks for us and our staff if we are no longer able? One simple 
solution is to support H.R. 1173, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by over 
50 Members that Dr. Phil Roe and I have introduced. The government that 
will pay tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars 
towards operations would finally pay maybe $150 or $200 for a doctor to 
consult with the patient and their family to find out exactly what 
their choices might be and make sure their wishes are respected.
  Don't just cosponsor the legislation, but use it to have a serious 
conversation with your staff and your family if you haven't had the 
discussion. Let's make sure that everyone on Capitol Hill is protected 
when the inevitable happens, and let's make sure the Federal Government 
is a full partner. Cosponsor H.R. 1173, and then let us work to enact 
it.

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