85R13383 BPG-D
By: Guerra H.R. No. 658
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The observance of National Healthcare Decisions
Week from April 16 to 22, 2017, is designed to raise awareness of
the importance of advance care planning; and
WHEREAS, Although the nation has made great strides in
providing end-of-life care, it has fallen short in ensuring that
terminally ill patients receive care that is in keeping with their
values, goals, and preferences; a 2014 report by the Institute of
Medicine called for significant reforms in this regard, emphasizing
that all individuals should have the opportunity to actively
participate in decisions about the care they receive in the last
stages of life; and
WHEREAS, Individuals can communicate their end-of-life
desires to health care providers by means of advance directives,
including living wills and durable powers of attorney; such
documents are a gift to loved ones, saving them from the struggle of
trying to divine wishes that were never expressed; and
WHEREAS, Many Texans have not prepared advance directives,
and the problem is particularly acute among Mexican Americans and
other minority populations; in Hidalgo County, which is more than
90 percent Hispanic, advocates are working to encourage timely
discussions of end-of-life wishes and to demystify the planning
process through La Conversacion Valiosa, a program presented in
conjunction with the Texas Health Institute; and
WHEREAS, This special week reminds Texans that the process of
communicating patient preferences should be initiated at the
earliest possible stage and that advance care directives should be
updated periodically to offer peace of mind to patients and loved
ones alike; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize April 16 to 22, 2017, as National
Healthcare Decisions Week and commend all those associated with La
Conversacion Valiosa for their efforts to facilitate advance care
planning.