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Washington, DC - Congressman Tom Reed (NY-23) announced his legislation to increase the quality and awareness of hospice and palliative care unanimously passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week.

"I witnessed the benefits of hospice and palliative when tending to my Mother, and it is an issue that strikes close to my heart," said Reed. "This bill increases awareness and provides workforce training for hospice and palliative care. I would like to thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce committee for recognizing this bipartisan effort, and I look forward to a vote on the House floor soon."

The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act will:

• Increase palliative care and hospice training for healthcare professionals.
• Enhance research on improving the delivery of palliative care.
• Launch a national campaign to inform patients and families about the benefits of palliative care.

"We are very hopeful for the passage of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act," said Shauna Anderson, President & CEO of Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care. "It is important that more education and training be made available to professionals and the general public about hospice and palliative care."

"CareFirst Hospice encounters workforce issues and the continued lack of recognition of the power of palliative care every day, and this limits us from bringing the full benefit of our work to our community," said Robin Stawasz, Director of Innovation and Advocacy at Carefirst in Painted Post, NY. "PCHETA's efforts – including allowing hospices to train and support hospice professionals – will go a long way in establishing palliative care in the healthcare continuum, resulting in better care, higher patient satisfaction, higher provider satisfaction and lower costs."

Hospice and palliative care focus on alleviating suffering for patients and their loved ones while patients get the care the patient's desire. It involves coordinating care, determining patient preferences, and assisting in the medical decision-making process to ensure the best information is known to the patient and their family throughout the entire process.

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