Warner, Isakson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Planning Options for Patients with Advanced Illness

Press Release

U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) introduced legislation today designed to give people with serious illness the freedom to make more informed choices about their care, and the power to have those choices honored. The Care Planning Act of 2015 creates a Medicare benefit for patient-centered care planning for people with serious illness. It will reimburse a team of healthcare professionals for providing a voluntary, structured discussion about the patient's goals, illness, and treatment options. Under this legislation, a written plan would reflect the informed choices made by patients in consultation with their health care team, faith leaders, family members and friends. The Care Planning Act also provides resources for public and professional education materials about care planning.

Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) are original co-sponsors.

"Everybody has a story. My story is my mom. For 11 years she had Alzheimer's, and for nine of those years, she couldn't speak. One my greatest regrets is that we never had a full conversation about her wishes when she was still well enough to make them known. So I know firsthand just how easy it is to put these conversations off because it's incredibly painful to imagine a loved one becoming so ill that he or she is unable to make decisions about their own medical care," said Sen. Warner, whose mother, Marjorie, passed away from Alzheimer's disease in 2010 at the age of 81. "This bill takes a patient-centered approach by making sure more information is available to patients and their families, and by ensuring that patients have an opportunity to discuss their treatment options, plan for their future care, and make their choices known."

Sen. Warner continued, "In the last several years, some have deliberately chosen to misrepresent the purpose of care planning services to frighten people and to score cheap political points. It's about making sure that your doctors, your hospital, and your family know what choices you have made about your care. If a patient prefers to explore every possible treatment option, that choice will be respected. And if an individual prefers a different approach after informed consultations with their health team, their family and others, those choices should be documented and honored too. The important thing is being able to make that decision and trust that it will be respected."

"I'm proud to join Sen. Warner in introducing the Care Planning Act today to provide individuals who have been diagnosed with a serious or life-threatening illness and their loved ones an opportunity to have face-to-face conversations with their doctors, nurses and religious advisors to develop plan for care," said Sen. Isakson. "I know from my own family's experience that having a plan makes a world of difference in ensuring a high quality of life during a loved one's last days. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation because it will go a long way in honoring patients' wishes and empowering people to take charge of their own health care."

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