Advance Care Planning

Studies find lower rates of advance directive use among certain nursing home resident populations

January 10, 2011

Mentally ill and black nursing home residents are less likely to have advance directives compared to their white and mentally healthy counterparts, according to two new studies.

GOP chairman offers 'Seniors' Healthcare Bill of Rights'

August 25, 2009

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on Monday outlined a "Seniors' Healthcare Bill of Rights" in The Washington Post.

Advance directives are not a proxy for euthanasia

Sherry Parrish August 25, 2009

It is a mistake to think that advance care planning in any way hurts seniors. Such discussions may lead to more end-of-life care instead of less and help preserve individuals' decision-making rights.

Study: End-of-life care planning improves quality of life of terminally ill patients

August 20, 2009

Amid the brouhaha over advance care planning, a new study finds that such counseling actually makes dying cancer patients feel better.

New congressional report lends credibility to end-of-life provision in House reform bill

August 14, 2009

A report released this week has found that end-of-life planning and discussions both improves quality of life near death and is associated with less aggressive and less costly care.

Obama addresses rumors about healthcare reform, accuses opponents of using scare tactics

August 12, 2009

President Barack Obama attempted to clear up misconceptions about healthcare reform in a town hall meeting Tuesday. One rumor he addressed is that reform would create government death panels that would "pull the plug on grandma."

Obama, AARP begin push to win seniors' support for reform

August 11, 2009

Proposed cuts to Medicare and misinformation about advance care planning in legislation have raised concerns among seniors over healthcare reform. Now the Obama administration is facing an uphill battle to win over this reluctant group of voters, recent news articles say.

House reform provision stirs controversy over end-of-life decision making

July 24, 2009

One provision of the House healthcare reform legislation has garnered criticism from New York state's former lieutenant governor. She argues it would encourage the premature deaths of the elderly as a cost-saving measure.