A bill to provide for the portability of validly executed advance directives, to provide patients with a better understanding of their health care choices, and to promote study of the quality of care for the gravely or terminally ill or injured, and for other purposes.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 8, 1994

Provides for the portability among States of validly executed advance directives under Medicare and Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require written policies and procedures of service providers to provide for effective communication with individuals regarding relevant aspects of health care decisions affecting such individual, including obtaining informed consent, individual prognosis and treatment decisions, and the formulation of advance directives. Requires a report to the Congress on a study of issues relating to care at the end of life, including how to determine the application of medically necessary or appropriate care for gravely or terminally ill or injured persons. Authorizes appropriations.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Danforth, John C. [R-MO] · R–MO

Committees

Finance Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 8, 1994
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Oct 8, 1994
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Oct 8, 1994 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.2556 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.2556, 103rd Congress: A bill to provide for the portability of validly executed advance directives, to provide patients with a better understanding of their health care choices, and to promote study of the quality of care for the gravely or terminally ill or injured, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2556

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-10-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2556/BILLS-103s2556is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:06:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.2556 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2556 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.2556, 103rd Congress: A bill to provide for the portability of validly executed advance directives, to provide patients with a better understanding of their health care choices, and to promote study of the quality of care for the gravely or terminally ill or injured, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2556

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-10-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2556/BILLS-103s2556is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:06:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2556 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2556 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2556, 103rd Congress: A bill to provide for the portability of validly executed advance directives, to provide patients with a better understanding of their health care choices, and to promote study of the quality of care for the gravely or terminally ill or injured, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2556

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-10-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2556/BILLS-103s2556is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:06:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2556 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2556 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2556, 103rd Congress: A bill to provide for the portability of validly executed advance directives, to provide patients with a better understanding of their health care choices, and to promote study of the quality of care for the gravely or terminally ill or injured, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2556

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-10-08.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2556/BILLS-103s2556is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:06:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2556 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.