BILL NUMBER: SCR 55	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  122
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 12, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wolk

                        AUGUST 17, 2009

   Relative to Health Care Decisions Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 55, Wolk. Health Care Decisions Week.
   This measure would recognize the week of October 25 through
October 31, 2009, as Health Care Decisions Week in California, and
would encourage all Californians to think, and talk with loved ones,
about their wishes for medical care.



   WHEREAS, It is important for people to make health care decisions
before they are needed; and
   WHEREAS, Health care planning is a process, rather than a single
decision, that helps people think about the kind of care they would
want if they become seriously ill or incapacitated, encourages them
to talk with their loved ones and doctors, and assists them in
writing down their wishes; and
   WHEREAS, Advance directives give people the ability to document
their wishes and identify the person to speak for them should they
become unable to speak for themselves; and
   WHEREAS, A Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
form complements an advance directive by taking an individual's
wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment and turning those wishes
into a medical order; and
   WHEREAS, Introducing these issues in community settings can help
people begin conversations about their health care wishes with a
family member, close friend, doctor, or faith leader; and
   WHEREAS, California 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,
speaker's bureaus, and training; and
   WHEREAS, The California Coalition for Compassionate Care and more
than 100 of the coalition's members representing health care
providers, consumers, regulators, and local coalitions have joined
together to sponsor a weeklong focus on health care decisions; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the week of
October 25 through October 31, 2009, as Health Care Decisions Week in
California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all Californians to
think, and talk with loved ones, about their wishes for medical care;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.