The Secretary of HHS sent a comprehensive report to Congress this week entitled “Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning.” The report, requested by Congress in 2006, focuses on (1) the best ways to promote the use of advance directives and advance care planning among competent adults as a way to specify their wishes about en-of-life care; and (2) addressing the needs of persons with disabilities with respect to advance directives. You can link to the report at aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/2008/ADCongRpt.htm It includes an excellent literature review on every aspect of advance care planning, analyses of key ethical and legal issues, and a discussion of opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of advance care planning and advance directives.

The report is particularly timely as health care reform is in the public policy forefront, and several bills are pending on the Hill regarding advance care planning and improving care near the end of life.