Attorney General's News Release

April 15, 2008

Nixon encourages consumers to make medical decisions on National Healthcare Decisions Day

Jefferson City, Mo. - Attorney General Jay Nixon is urging consumers Missourians to think about what kind of medical care they would want if they are injured or ill and unable to speak for themselves. April 16 has been designated National Healthcare Decisions Day in the United States. The Missouri End-of-Life Coalition, along with Nixon's office and other state and community organizations, is leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance health care decision making.

On April 16 the coalition will present a short skit called "How the End of Your Life Can Be" in the State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City at 9 a.m. In the production, actors will portray contrasting scenarios of individuals who have and have not put their wishes for medical care in writing. The skit will illustrate the stress created for families of those without advance directives.

The production will feature State Representative Bob Dixon of Springfield and others from the Springfield area.

After the skit, there will be an opportunity for individuals to complete advance directives available in the Life Choices booklet produced by the Attorney General's office. An advance directive is a legal document written by an individual to express his or her wishes for medical care and designates an agent to speak for the individual if he or she is unable to communicate.

An attorney and a notary public will be available to help those wishing to complete their advance directives at no charge.

The End-of-Life coalition has partnered with Nixon's office, Missouri hospitals, hospices, schools, and other organizations in the state to bring attention to the importance of making end-of-life decisions.

The Missouri End-of-Life Coalition consists of health care professionals, lawyers, hospice workers and others interested in improving education, laws and resources to help consumers make health care decisions.

For more information on Wednesday's events, visit http://www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org

Life Choices publication, pdf format

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818