Fischer Backs Bipartisan Bill to Improve Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Press Release

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, today announced she is cosponsoring the bipartisan Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (S.693). This legislation seeks to expand and improve care for patients in hospice and those being treated for serious illness.

"Watching a loved one struggle with a serious disease like Alzheimer's or face the final stages of life is devastating and stressful. This bipartisan legislation aims to provide comfort to patients and their families. Through increased education, training, and incentives for the physicians providing this type of care, Americans can receive better care during these very difficult circumstances," said Senator Fischer.

"Families affected by an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis often rely on the critical services provided through hospice and palliative care. Recent studies have indicated a lower rate of dying in the hospital, a lower rate of hospitalization in the last 30 days of life, and better symptom management for individuals living with dementia that utilize hospice and palliative care services. However, not all families have access to these forms of assistance. When Senator Fischer co-sponsored the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, she took a stand to increase training programs for health professionals, create a national awareness campaign, and enhance palliative care research initiatives, which will ultimately increase quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their care partners," said Sharon Stephens, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association Nebraska Chapter.

"The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network thanks Sen. Fischer for putting her support behind this legislation. We have seen firsthand how palliative care helps patients maintain their strength and dignity as they face grueling treatments. What's more, resources and support provided by palliative care give relief to the whole family, reducing their fear and anxiety. Improving access to these programs helps not just cancer patients, but all patients facing a life-changing diagnosis, and we wholeheartedly support it," said Matt Prokop, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Nebraska Grassroots Manager.

The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act would expand opportunities for training in palliative and hospice care and offer incentives to attract and retain providers through a variety of grant programs. It would create a national campaign to educate patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care. Additionally, this legislation would direct the National Institutes of Health to use existing funds for palliative care research.

This legislation was introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). Other cosponsors of the legislation include Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

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