[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 621--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 2016 AS NATIONAL HOSPICE 
                       AND PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH

  Mr. WYDEN (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Coons, Ms. Klobuchar, and 
Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 621

       Whereas hospice and palliative care services empower 
     individuals to live as fully as possible, surrounded and 
     supported by family and loved ones, despite serious and life-
     limiting illnesses;
       Whereas hospice and palliative care can bring patients and 
     family caregivers high-quality care delivered by an 
     interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals that includes 
     physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, 
     health aides, spiritual care providers, and others who make 
     the wishes of each patient and family a priority;
       Whereas advance care planning involves an individual making 
     decisions about the health care the individual would want to 
     receive if faced with a serious or life-limiting illness or 
     unable to speak on behalf of the individual;
       Whereas hospice and palliative care focus on quality of 
     life through pain management and symptom control, caregiver 
     training and assistance, and emotional and spiritual support, 
     allowing patients to live fully until the end of life, 
     surrounded and supported by loved ones, friends, and 
     committed caregivers;
       Whereas every year more than 1,650,000 individuals in the 
     United States living with life-limiting illness, and the 
     families of the individuals, receive care and support from 
     hospice programs in communities throughout the United States;
       Whereas more than 430,000 trained volunteers contribute 
     19,000,000 hours of service to hospice programs annually; and
       Whereas hospice and palliative care providers encourage all 
     individuals to learn more about the options of the 
     individuals for care and to share the wishes of the 
     individuals with family, loved ones, and health care 
     professionals: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates November 2016 as National Hospice and 
     Palliative Care Month; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States--
       (A) to increase their understanding and awareness of care 
     at the end of life; and
       (B) to observe National Hospice and Palliative Care Month 
     with appropriate activities and programs.

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