Tp provide Medicare beneficiaries with information on advance directives.

SA 983. Mr. SPECTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make improvements in the medicare program, to provide prescription drug coverage under the medicare program, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 676, after line 22, insert the following:

SEC. __. PROVISION OF INFORMATION ON ADVANCE DIRECTIVES.

Section 1804(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395b-2(c)) is amended--

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;

(2) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by striking “The notice” and inserting “(1) The notice”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(2)(A) The Secretary shall annually provide each medicare beneficiary with information concerning advance directives. Such information shall be provided by the Secretary as part of the Medicare and You handbook that is provided to each such beneficiary. Such handbook shall include a separate section on advanced directives and specific details on living wills and the durable power of attorney for health care. The Secretary shall ensure that the introductory letter that accompanies such handbook contain a statement concerning the inclusion of such information.

“(B) In this section:

“(i) The term ‘advance directive' has the meaning given such term in section 1866(f)(3).

“(ii) The term ‘medicare beneficiary' means an individual who is entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under part A or enrolled under part B, of this title.”.