Monday, May 4, 2020

HAN Call to Action!

For the past several months, the Hospice Action Network (HAN) has been working tirelessly with Congress, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the White House on implementing safeguards and policies that will support hospice providers and the patients and families they serve.

The last advocacy push resulted in over 12,000 advocacy actions which related in regulatory relief, statutory changes, and grant funding for the hospice and palliative care community.

HAN, an affiliate organization of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, continues to advocate loudly with Congress and the Administration on behalf of the hospice and palliative care community, and HAN encourages all hospice and palliative care advocates and supporters to continue to help advocate for the community.

Currently, Congress is preparing a fourth COVID-19 emergency package, referred to as “COVID 4.0.” We need to ensure that the voice and concerns of the hospice and palliative care community remain heard and felt on Capitol Hill.

HAN is issuing an Action Alert, raising awareness of the need for support for bereavement and trauma informed care related to COVID-19, funding for PPE and workforce support, availability of community-based palliative care, and the need for passage of the Rural Access to Hospice Act (H.R.2594/S.1190) and the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (S.2080). This Action Alert template is customizable, so advocates are encouraged to share details about how COVID-19 is affecting you and/or your program if you are a hospice or palliative care provider.

HAN also created a script for phone calls, and Twitter and Facebook posts. Please complete as many different actions as you can and encourage your colleagues, friends, family, and fellow hospice and palliative care advocates to TAKE ACTION.

Together, HAN and NHPCO have seen what can be accomplished when our community stands in solidarity and advocates with ONE voice. Let’s make sure Congress hears us loud and clear again and understands what we are experiencing on the ground.

Visit the Hospice Action Network to find the Action Alert.


No comments: