Medicare Advance Planning for Care Act; MAP for Care Act
Summary
The Medicare Advance Planning for Care Act (MAP for Care Act) aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to voluntarily adopt advance directives for their medical care. It establishes an Advance Directive Certification Program under the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This program would accredit advance directive vendors and provide resources for beneficiaries to create, modify, and register certified advance directives.
Expected Effects
The primary effect will be to increase the adoption and accessibility of advance directives among Medicare beneficiaries. This will be achieved through a certification program, online resources, and educational outreach. The Act also seeks to ensure privacy and security of these directives, and interoperability with healthcare providers.
Potential Benefits
- Empowers Medicare beneficiaries to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
- Improves communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers regarding end-of-life care preferences.
- Enhances the security and accessibility of advance directives through electronic storage and standardized data protections.
- Reduces potential for disputes over treatment by providing a clear record of patient wishes.
- Offers resources and education to beneficiaries, including links to statutory and alternative advance directive forms.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with establishing and maintaining the Advance Directive Certification Program.
- Possible challenges in ensuring the accessibility and interoperability of electronic advance directives across different healthcare systems.
- Risk of privacy breaches or security vulnerabilities in the electronic storage and transmission of sensitive health information.
- Complexity for beneficiaries in navigating the online enrollment and registration process.
- Potential for disparities in access to the program for beneficiaries with limited digital literacy or access to technology.
Constitutional Alignment
The Medicare Advance Planning for Care Act appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the principle of promoting the general welfare. While the Constitution does not explicitly address healthcare directives, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. This Act respects state laws regarding advance directives, as stated in Section 1849(a)(5): "The provisions of this section shall not preempt any State or local law requirement governing advance directives."
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).