Rep. Leon Smith's Bill to Protect Idaho Patients' Living Wills & Advance Directives a Move in the Right Direction

BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Constituent outrage is spurring legislative action over Idaho's new "conscience" law, which allows health care professionals to refuse to honor living wills and advance directives.   Yesterday, with Representative Leon Smith's (R-Twin Falls) introduction of a bill to protect patient's legal rights, the public saw hope that the law will be fixed.  AARP commends Representative Smith for his action, and is urging his colleagues to support efforts to address the issue.  

In the coming days, another bill, stripping the problematic "end of life care and treatment" language from the law will be introduced by Representative Tom Trail (R-Moscow).  AARP is backing the measure and is looking forward to working with all legislators to address its members concerns with the "conscience" law.

"AARP members across Idaho are outraged by this new law, they want their living wills and advance directives to be their choice and no one else's – this law challenges that and leaves many insecure about whether their legal rights will be honored," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "We're encouraged that constituents calling for change are making a difference, and we urge all legislators to heed the call to action on this issue."

Prior to the passage last year of the "conscience" law, AARP members contacted their legislators by the thousands urging the removal of language allowing health care professional to refuse to honor living wills and advance directives.  During election season, AARP continued to remind candidates of the importance of addressing the issue, which AARP members rated as one of the most important they expected who they voted for to tackle, second only to the state budget.  

"We're calling on all legislators to stand up for patient's rights and fix this law," added Wordelman.  "AARP will work aggressively to correct this issue this legislative session."

The Association is calling on its members to take action, and has recently launched the Idaho Patient's Rights Hotline (1-800-232-0581) to put its members and the public in touch with their lawmakers urging them to fix the bill.  AARP plans to be in constant contact with all of its members in Idaho over the course of the legislative session to alert them to progress on the issue.

AARP is Idaho's largest membership organization with 180,000 members.

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SOURCE AARP Idaho

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