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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The observance of National Healthcare Decisions |
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Day, which is held annually on April 16, provides an opportunity to |
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educate Texans about the importance of end-of-life planning; and |
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WHEREAS, National Healthcare Decisions Day, a nationwide |
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campaign of The Conversation Project, encourages all Americans to |
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express their wishes with regard to end-of-life health care and |
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urges health care providers to respect these wishes, whatever they |
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may be; and |
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WHEREAS, Surveys show that the vast majority of Americans |
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believe discussing end-of-life care with their loved ones is |
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important, but only a minority have actually done so; starting a |
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conversation is a vital first step in the end-of-life planning |
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process, and it can facilitate legal actions, including the |
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designation of power of attorney and the completion of a living |
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will, which can ensure that an individual's desires are honored |
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when the time comes; and |
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WHEREAS, On National Healthcare Decisions Day 2021, the GIFT |
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Project is hosting a Drive-By Directives event in Austin, where |
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nurses and social workers will be available to answer questions and |
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assist visitors with completing advance directive forms; the GIFT |
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Project is an initiative of Hospice Austin with the mission of |
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providing free education about advance care planning to the public; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Thinking about end-of-life care can be difficult, |
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but it is a necessary part of preparing for the future, and National |
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Healthcare Decisions Day is an appropriate time to encourage all |
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Texans to give thoughtful consideration to this important matter; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 16, 2021, as National Healthcare |
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Decisions Day and extend sincere best wishes to the GIFT Project and |
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other organizations that are working to further the goals of the |
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event. |