The U.S. House of Representatives advanced bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), which would create a variety of education programs regarding hospice and palliative care for providers and patients.
“This bill will ensure our aging loved ones have access to the proper and comfortable care they deserve as they reach those crucial final days with their family,” Rep. Reed said. “Not only will quality of life be improved, but hospice care lowers health care costs making this legislation a win-win we should all support.”
The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA), H.R. 647, was unanimously approved by the House on Oct. 28. The bipartisan measure was lead sponsored by U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), and was cosponsored by Reps. Reed, Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Greg Walden (R-OR), among many others.
PCHETA specifically focuses on three key aspects of care education, according to a bill summary. Workforce training will seek to ensure that education centers, curricula, and teachers receive comprehensive, interdisciplinary training in palliative and hospice care and establish programs to attract and retain providers. National education and awareness will provide for a U.S. campaign to inform patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits and services associated with palliative and hospice care. The legislation would also instruct the National Institutes of Health to use existing authorities and funds to expand palliative care research.
The legislation has endorsements from 54 national organizations.
“Based on current predictions, the number of Americans facing serious, advanced or life-limiting illness is growing at a dramatic rate,” said National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization President and CEO Edo Banach. “Increasing the number of professionals in these vital person-centered care fields will mean that even more Americans and families can benefit from this care that supports physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual health.”