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May 24, 2002/Sivan 13 5762, Vol. 54, No. 36
Napolitano urges end-of-life planning
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Arizona Attorney General Janet Napolitano took advantage of Elder Americans Month to address the importance of making end-of-life plans at the Jewish Community Senior Center, May 14.
She introduced Life Care Planning Packets to 45 seniors gathered at the central Phoenix site.
The "one-stop shopping" legal packets include end-of-life documents, power-of-attorney forms, living wills and "do not resuscitate" orders, Napolitano said.
"It's important to have that conversation with family members. It can be very difficult but is essential to make sure your wishes are recorded," she said. Critical decisions - such as whether or not a patient would want to be on life support - should be decided before that individual is hospitalized, she added.
Napolitano, who also is running for Arizona governor, planned to distribute the free packets at more than 20 senior centers in May.
The Arizona Republic paid for printing costs, she said.
Napolitano said she wants the public to be aware also of satellite service centers located in senior centers in Sun City, Mesa, north Tucson and Lake Havasu City.
"At the centers, people can file complaints and get information, and we (at the attorney general's office) can do follow up," she said.
Senior volunteers trained by the attorney general's office staff the centers. This allows seniors to get assistance from other seniors, Napolitano said, and "expands our reach without expanding our budget."
One JCC listener asked Napolitano why prescription medication is cheaper to obtain in Mexico or Canada than in the United States.
"Many people have told me they can't afford their drugs. They can't afford to completely fill their prescriptions and eat or pay rent," she responded.
She said her office has conducted price studies of 20 commonly prescribed drugs, comparing fees from national chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies, the Internet and pharmacies in Mexico.
"We've found really interesting discrepancies in pricing," she noted. "The most important thing a consumer can do is comparison shop."
Other listeners voiced concerns regarding health insurance costs.
Health insurance companies are free to charge "whatever the market will bear," Napolitano said, although she decried high premiums that prevent some people from being able to afford insurance.
Napolitano noted the attorney general's office is working to protect senior citizens' rights and to fight against consumer fraud.
She expressed hope that her statewide presentation would encourage Arizonans to voice their concerns to the attorney general's office.
To obtain a Life Care Planning Packet, call 602-542-2124 or visit www.ag.state.az.us.
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