Senator Coons introduces Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act
If you suffered a life-threatening injury, would your family know what decisions you want them to make concerning life-support? It’s a bit morbid sure, but most people have thought about it, and yet few of us have that legal paperwork in order.
The paperwork is called an advance directive. If you’re on Medicare, there could soon be an incentive to fill one out electronically if a new federal bill is passed.
Wednesday, Delaware U.S. Senator Chris Coons introduced the Medicare Choices Empowerment Act, with bipartisan support.
According to Coons, only a third of Americans have prepared legal documents explaining their preferences for life-sustaining care, even though about seventy percent have thought about it.
With his bill, beneficiaries would receive a one-time incentive of seventy five dollars for registering an advance directive.
Senator Coons says every american deserves the opportunity to make his or her own health care decisions.
He continues, “It empowers patients, those of us who are Medicare beneficiaries to consult with our doctors, our nurses, our health care providers, and to reflect on what we want.”
To learn more about the bill, click here.
