Which act made it mandatory for health care facilities to provide information about living wills and DPOAHC?

Which act made it mandatory for health care facilities to provide information about living wills and DPOAHC?

• A. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1990
• B. HIPAA
• C. ACA
• D. ADA

Answer: (A)

The requirement comes from the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1990. This act requires health care facilities to provide information about advance directives, including living wills and durable power of attorney for health care, to patients upon admission and to document whether an advance directive exists. The goal is to ensure patients understand their options for making or delegating decisions about their medical care if they are unable to communicate their wishes themselves. HIPAA focuses on protecting health information privacy, the ACA expands access and coverage with broader protections, and the ADA guards against discrimination for people with disabilities. None of these specifically mandate informing patients about living wills and DPOAHC in the way OBRA does.

The requirement comes from the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1990. This act requires health care facilities to provide information about advance directives, including living wills and durable power of attorney for health care, to patients upon admission and to document whether an advance directive exists. The goal is to ensure patients understand their options for making or delegating decisions about their medical care if they are unable to communicate their wishes themselves.

HIPAA focuses on protecting health information privacy, the ACA expands access and coverage with broader protections, and the ADA guards against discrimination for people with disabilities. None of these specifically mandate informing patients about living wills and DPOAHC in the way OBRA does.