[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5310-5311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, today I wish to discuss a very 
important issue--living well at the end of life.
  Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day. It is a day dedicated to 
reminding people to plan for the future, to encourage discussions--no 
matter how difficult--to let families, friends, and caregivers know 
your wishes, whatever they may be.
  This is an incredibly important and pressing issue, but it is one 
that no one likes to talk about. No one likes to face their own 
mortality. But we must because we know that more often than not, 
patients' preferences are not known or adhered to near the end of life.
  In the absence of clearly defined expectations and wishes, death can 
be an incredibly scary and confusing time for a patient and their 
family. Misunderstanding among physicians and family members about a 
loved one's final wishes can cause significant psychological and 
emotional hardship. Families may disagree about treatment options and 
argue about whether their loved one should get more or less treatment, 
aggressive intervention or palliative care.
  These disagreements can often result in the patient receiving a 
different course of treatment than they might have preferred--an 
undesirable yet easily avoidable outcome. We need to empower patients 
to express their wishes, to exert their choice, and to clearly define 
their preferences and expectations, whatever they may be, to those who 
will be along their side at that difficult time.
  People often think, ``I'm too young to worry about that.'' Or, ``I 
have plenty of time to deal with that later.'' But these conversations 
aren't just important for people who have been diagnosed with terminal 
illness or individuals approaching old age. In fact, if you wait too 
long, you may not get the chance.
  Most diseases don't discriminate and accidents can happen to anyone. 
The time for us to think about what our wishes might be is before we 
are in a crisis--when we can think clearly about the consequences of 
the course we select, consult with our spiritual and moral leaders, and 
discuss these difficult issues with family and friends. There are many 
physical, emotional, and spiritual components to these issues, and it 
takes careful reflection to determine which are most important to you.
  I am very proud to say that my State has been a leader on this issue. 
We have a great organization called Honoring Choices Minnesota that 
provides resources and tools to help people start these difficult 
conversations with their families.
  There will be several events in my State today and all across the 
country highlighting the importance of not only making your preferences 
known, but ensuring that people who want to can document their wishes 
through an advanced care directive, physicians order for life 
sustaining treatment, or other legal mechanism.
  I encourage my colleagues and all Americans to take time today to 
think about their families, their wishes, and to begin planning for the 
future.

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