[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8594--OCT. 29, 2010

Proclamation 8594 of October 29, 2010
National Hospice Month, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

During National Hospice Month, we recognize the dignity hospice care can
provide to patients who need it most, and the professionals, volun-

[[Page 4729]]

teers, and family members who bring peace to individuals in their final
days.
Hospice care gives medical services, emotional support, and spiritual
resources to people facing life-limiting illnesses. It can also help
families and caregivers manage the details and emotional challenges of
caring for a dying loved one. The decision to place someone into a
hospice program can be difficult, but Americans can have peace of mind
knowing the doctors and professionals involved with these services are
trained to administer high-quality and comprehensive care for terminally
ill individuals. As many of our Nation's veterans age and cope with
illness, hospice and palliative care can also provide tailored support
to meet the needs of these heroes.
The Affordable Care Act signed into law this year protects and expands
hospice services covered under Federal health care programs. Prior to
its enactment, the prohibition on concurrent care for Federal health
care programs meant patients could not receive hospice care before first
discontinuing treatments to cure their disease. The Affordable Care Act
permanently eliminates this prohibition for children enrolled in
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, and creates
demonstration projects to test how the elimination of the concurrent
care prohibition would impact Medicare. As a result, fewer children,
seniors, and families will have to make the heart-rending choice between
coverage that fights an illness and coverage that provides needed
comfort.
All Americans should take comfort in the important work of hospice care,
which enables individuals to carry on their lives, in spite of a
terminal illness. During this month, let us recognize those who allow
the terminally ill to receive comfortable and dignified care.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2010 as
National Hospice Month. I encourage citizens, medical institutions,
government and social service agencies, businesses, nonprofit
organizations, and other interested groups to join in activities that
promote awareness of the important role of hospice care.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA