Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA)

Do you think palliative care is important for patients and families?

Do you think palliative care is essential for the US health system?

Then isn’t it time that you acted politically to advance palliative care?

Well, this Wednesday April 27th you can join the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and other supporters of palliative care in a virtual lobbying effort to raise awareness in the US Congress about the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA.)  PCHETA
(H.R. 3119 / S. 2748) is a bill developed by AAHPM which would
expand opportunities for interdisciplinary education and training in palliative
care, implement an awareness campaign to inform patients and health care
providers about the benefits of palliative care and hospice, and direct funding
toward palliative care research to strengthen clinical practice and health care
delivery. (Access a bill summary).

The bill is supported by over 35 organizations including Geripal and AAHPM’s good friends at AGS, HPNA, SWHPN, NHPCO, CAPC and many other important health care organizations like the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, the Alzheimers Association, and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and so many others.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote that “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”  Well, it is your turn to participate.  Tell your Congressional Representative and Senators why they should support PCHETA.  Don’t get discouraged that this will take time to pass.  Momentum is building.  Your voice matters.  Wouldn’t it be great if Congressional staffers when asked what the top issue constituents were calling about this week could answer PCHETA!  Make it happen.

Promote
PCHETA by e-mailing your elected representatives using AAHPM’s Legislative Action Center and posting on Facebook
and Twitter. 

The
Academy’s Virtual Lobby Day Participant Guide will help you understand
the bill and look up your members of Congress and their social media contact
information. It also offers e-mail talking points and sample social media
posts, making it quick and easy to request your lawmakers’ support.

Please
share these details with colleagues and other hospice and palliative care
stakeholders, and encourage them to participate in the #PCHETA Virtual Lobby
Day!

Need more
information or have questions? Email advocacy@aahpm.org. 

by: Paul Tatum (@doctatum)