Urges Congress to pass "Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act" and fund initiatives to expand palliative care.
Impact
If passed, ACR109 could lead to significant changes in how palliative care is provided not just in New Jersey but nationwide. The funding and initiatives supported by PCHETA could bolster the development of palliative care fellowship programs. Currently, New Jersey has only two palliative care fellowship programs, indicating a critical shortage of trained professionals in this field. ACR109 posits that increased educational resources and funding are necessary to meet the growing need for palliative care specialists, especially as the population ages and more patients are faced with serious chronic illnesses.
Summary
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 109 (ACR109) urges the United States Congress to pass the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) and to allocate funding to expand palliative care services. Palliative care provides specialized medical care focused on relieving the symptoms and stress associated with serious illnesses. ACR109 emphasizes the need for palliative care to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families, reinforcing its appropriateness at any age and stage of a serious illness. The resolution highlights the inadequacy of current medical training in preparing healthcare providers to deliver optimal end-of-life care, advocating for improved physician communication with patients regarding care planning and informed consent.
Contention
The resolution outlines an urgent need for congressional support to fully realize the potential of palliative care in enhancing patient care. Notable points of contention revolve around healthcare funding and the allocation of resources towards the education of medical professionals. The resolution underscores that traditional medical curricula often neglect essential skills for end-of-life care, thereby limiting the effectiveness of healthcare teams in addressing complex patient needs. Advocates for ACR109 stress that without adequate fellowship programs and funding avenues, the quality of end-of-life care would continue to fall short, exacerbating the challenges faced by patients and families during critical health transitions.