NHPCO Participates in Seminal Briefing of the Congressional Palliative Care Task Force

Lori Bishop, Vice President of Palliative & Advanced Care for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, participated in the first-ever meeting of the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus’ Palliative Care Task Force. Hosted on September 14, the bipartisan task force was launched by Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Congressman Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) and inspired by their personal experiences providing long-term care to loved ones.

While the briefing served to introduce congressional staff to palliative care, the task force will work to enhance palliative care services to improve the quality of life of millions of Americans managing serious illnesses while also raising the public’s awareness and promoting the availability and benefits of palliative care through bipartisan solutions to expand access these services.

“NHPCO wholeheartedly stands behind the efforts of the bipartisan Palliative Care Task Force and is committed to continuing its work to support efforts to educate lawmakers about this important type of care,” said Ms. Bishop. “We thank Representatives Rosen and Poliquin for spearheading this important effort and commend their goal to create bipartisan policies and solutions that address the needs of the palliative care community. We look forward to working with them and other task force members to advance palliative care for all Americans.”

Palliative care helps to prevent and reduce the physical and emotional suffering for patients dealing with serious illness, providing individuals with the best possible quality of life for both them and their families.

In July the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) which is co-sponsored by both Representatives Rosen and Poliquin and furthers the task force’s goals as the bill would expand access to palliative care services and provide awards, grants, career developmental opportunities, and support to physicians, nurses, hospitals, social work schools, medical schools, and other medical institutions to promote education and research in palliative care.

“NHPCO commends the House of Representatives for advancing PCHETA and urges the Senate to take up the popular bipartisan bill so that Americans with life-limiting illnesses are able to access the hospice and palliative care they need to be comfortable and at-peace alongside their loved ones,” concluded Ms. Bishop.

Launch of Bipartisan Congressional Task Force Championing Palliative Care hosted on September 14.