More than 280 Hospice Advocates representing 200 Congressional districts will converge on Capitol Hill to call on Congress to support the Care Planning Act of 2015 and hospice payment reform testing as part of the Hospice Action Network and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s annual Advocacy Intensive.
The event highlights the role of bedside caregivers and is attended primarily by members from the hospice interdisciplinary team – physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, hospice aides and volunteers. As part of the HAN Advocacy Intensive, attendees learn best practices for advocating for hospice and how to connect directly with their members of Congress.
Congressional meetings with nearly 400 offices are scheduled.
“It’s incredibly impactful when members of Congress hear from frontline hospice professionals,” says NHPCO President and CEO J. Donald Schumacher. “They share their stories from the bedside and convey what hospice is truly about.”
In addition to sharing their personal hospice caregiving experience, advocates will provide information about two key issues that will impact the hospice community. The Care Planning Act of 2015 is legislation that includes provisions to assist in navigating complex health care needs and address challenges in advance care planning. The bill was introduced by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). Advocates will also discuss hospice payment reform testing and program integrity measures.
More than 1.5 million patients, along with their family caregivers, receive care from our nation’s hospices every year, reports NHPCO.
For more information on Hospice Action Network and advocacy efforts, visit: www.hospiceactionnetwork.org.
Leave a Reply