Baldwin Part of Bipartisan Effort to Improve Planning Options for Patients with Advanced Illness

Press Release

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and a bipartisan coalition led by Senators 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. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) are also original co-sponsors.

"Wisconsin has been a leader in promoting comprehensive and patient-focused advanced care planning services and I'm proud to join this effort to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to better manage their care," Senator Baldwin said. "The Care Planning Act puts more control in the hands of patients, and empowers doctors to put patients first in order to improve health care quality for all of our families."

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