AARP Idaho Applauds Decision to Revise Discriminatory Language

New Crisis Standard of Care update changes focus to likelihood of survival instead of age.

AARP Idaho released the following statement from state director Lupe Wissel, in response to the State of Idaho Medical Advisory Committee (SIDMAC) recommendation and the Idaho Board of Health and Welfare’s decision to revise tiebreaker language in the Crisis Standard of Care - Patient Care Strategies for Scarce Resource Situations.

“AARP Idaho praises the decision by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the State of Idaho Medical Advisory Committee to reverse course on the original language in the Crisis Standards of Care. From the beginning, our 185,000 members across the state saw the tiebreaker as age discrimination used to ration care. We believe, and this new language ensures, those entrusted with making health care decisions at state and local levels will be guided by current science and the clinical needs of individual patients. Using categories of age to determine whether someone receives care is wrong and we are pleased the voices of older Idahoans were heard in this process and the right decision was made.”

In September 2021, AARP Idaho challenged the original guidelines saying they must not discriminate against older persons, persons with disabilities, those with lower incomes, the uninsured, and individuals from other historically disadvantaged groups. Read the full statement here:  https://states.aarp.org/idaho/crisis-standards-of-care-in-idaho-its-time-to-do-better