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Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act
3/13/2024, 8:06 PM
Summary of Bill S 2243
The bill aims to increase the number of healthcare providers who are trained in palliative care and hospice services, as well as improve the coordination and delivery of these services to patients. It also seeks to enhance the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses and their families by ensuring they receive comprehensive and compassionate care.
Specifically, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act would establish a Palliative Care and Hospice Education Center program within the Health Resources and Services Administration. This program would award grants to eligible entities to provide education and training programs in palliative care and hospice services. Additionally, the bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a national education and awareness campaign to inform healthcare professionals, patients, and the public about the benefits of palliative care and hospice services. Overall, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act aims to improve the quality of care for patients with serious illnesses and their families by increasing education and training opportunities for healthcare providers in palliative care and hospice services.
Congressional Summary of S 2243
Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take a series of actions relating to palliative-care training.
Specifically, HHS must provide support for Palliative Care and Hospice Education Programs. The programs must support the training of health professionals in palliative and hospice care, including through traineeships or fellowships.
In addition, HHS may provide support to medical schools, teaching hospitals, and graduate medical-education programs for training physicians who plan to teach or practice palliative medicine.
HHS must also (1) provide Palliative Care and Hospice Academic Career Awards to health professional schools to promote the career development of academic hospice and palliative care specialists, (2) support individuals in specified fields who are pursuing an advanced degree in palliative care or related fields, and (3) award grants to nursing programs to train individuals in providing palliative care.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality may disseminate information to inform patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care.
The National Institutes of Health must expand national research programs in palliative care.
