[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 6, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67775-67776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28434]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 6, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 67775]]


                Proclamation 7621 of November 1, 2002

                
National Hospice Month, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Hospice organizations provide people who are near the 
                end of their lives with family-centered, quality care, 
                that emphasizes compassion, independence, respect, and 
                dignity. During National Hospice Month, our Nation pays 
                tribute to hospice care and the persons and 
                organizations involved with it, by recognizing and 
                honoring its value and importance for people who are 
                dying, for their families and friends, and for our 
                communities.

                Hospice has emerged as a successful model of care that 
                helps terminally ill individuals achieve practical, 
                physical, psychological, and spiritual goals. According 
                to the National Hospice and Palliative Care 
                Organization (NHPCO), in 2001, an estimated 3,200 
                operating hospice programs in the United States 
                admitted about 775,000 patients. Hospice care relies 
                upon a team of committed physicians, nurses, medical 
                social workers, therapists, counselors, and volunteers. 
                This team provides medical services that are designed 
                to improve the comfort of the patient, manage symptoms, 
                provide proper nutrition, and deal with other 
                difficulties such as emotional distress and grief. 
                Hospice care also provides important emotional and 
                spiritual support to families and friends as they cope 
                with their impending loss.

                While we have made great progress in encouraging 
                hospice care, much work remains to be done to increase 
                awareness of hospice and its benefits. The NHPCO 
                reports that in 2000, 2.4 million people in our Nation 
                died. It is estimated that one in four used hospice 
                care and services. Also, many people at the end of life 
                are referred to hospice only a few days before death. 
                By strengthening and expanding hospice programs and 
                working to promote, where appropriate, their services 
                as a positive alternative for terminally ill patients, 
                we can make a difference in the lives of countless 
                Americans.

                As we observe National Hospice Month, we applaud 
                hospice organizations, health professionals, and other 
                caregivers for their dedication to ensuring respect and 
                quality of life for all. We also reaffirm our 
                commitment as a Nation to honoring the dignity of every 
                person and to promoting compassion and concern for our 
                fellow citizens.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim November 2002 as National 
                Hospice Month. I encourage Americans to increase their 
                awareness of the importance and availability of hospice 
                service and to observe this month with appropriate 
                activities and programs.

[[Page 67776]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-28434
Filed 11-5-02; 8:46 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P