05 LC 33
0784
Senate
Resolution 314
By:
Senators Rogers of the 21st and Shafer of the 48th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
Health Care Decisions Week in Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
it is vitally important for an individual to consider health care decisions that
may arise in the future; and
WHEREAS,
health care planning is a process, rather than a single decision, that helps
people consider the kind of care they would want to receive in the event of a
serious illness or incapacitation, encourages them to discuss these issues with
their loved ones and physicians, and assists them in documenting their wishes in
writing; and
WHEREAS,
advance directives give individuals the ability to document their wishes
relating to health care decisions and to delegate a representative to speak for
them should they become unable to speak for themselves; and
WHEREAS,
introducing these issues in community settings can help people begin
conversations about their health care wishes with a family member, close friend,
physician, or faith leader; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia has a number of local coalitions throughout the state that are working
to involve individuals and families in health care planning through educational
forums, discussion groups, speakers´ bureaus, and training;
and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Collaborative to Improve End of Life Care, a network of more than 20
concerned nonprofit organizations, has been working to improve the experience of
dying for Georgians since 1998; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia´s "Critical Conditions" program, which has received national
recognition as one of the most comprehensive advanced-care planning programs in
the nation, is being utilized by over 100 facilities, Georgia´s area
agencies on aging, and public health offices throughout the state to help
Georgians discuss and plan for their care at the end of life.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that this body recognizes November 7-13,
2005, as Health Care Decisions Week in Georgia.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages all citizens to think about and
talk with loved ones about their wishes for medical care.