HI HCR136

Urges the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, private health insurers, and private health providers to adopt principles and health care guidelines regarding end-of-life care from the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care.

Cites research showing more than 90 million Americans live with at least one chronic illness and seven out of ten Americans die from chronic disease, with nine out of ten Medicare deaths associated with nine specific chronic conditions.

Notes that patients with chronic illness in their last two years of life account for approximately 32 percent of total Medicare spending, much of it for hospitalization-related fees.

Highlights that studies found most patients with serious illness prefer to die at home, yet the majority died in hospitals, and care was rarely aligned with patients' reported preferences despite intervention efforts.

Emphasizes that research shows more intensive inpatient care does not improve survival, quality of life, or access to care, and that patient preferences are often less influential than provider practice patterns.