Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 100 Part 1.djvu/1157

 PUBLIC LAW 99-442—OCT. 3, 1986

100 STAT. 1119

Public Law 99-442 99th Congress Joint Resolution To designate the month of November 1986 as "National Hospice Month".

Whereas hospice care has been demonstrated to be a humanitarian way for terminally ill patients to approach the end of their lives in comfort with appropriate, competent, and compassionate care in an environment of personal individuality and dignity; Whereas hospice advocates care of the patient and family by attending to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and specifically, the pain and grief they experience; Whereas hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, psychological and spiritual counselors, and other community volunteers trained in the hospice concept of care; Whereas hospice is rapidly becoming a full partner in the Nation's health care system; Whereas the recent enactment of the medicare hospice benefit makes it possible for many more elderly Americans to have the opportunity to elect to receive hospice care; Whereas private insurance carriers and employers have recognized the value of hospice care by the inclusion of hospice benefits in health care coverage packages; and Whereas there remains a great need to increase public awareness of the benefits of hospice care: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the month of November 1986 is designated "National Hospice Month", The President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon all Government agencies, the health care community, appropriate private organizations, and people of the United States to observe that month with appropriate forums, programs, and activities designed to encourage national recognition of and support for hospice care as a humane response to the needs of the terminally ill and a viable component of the health care system in this country. Approved October 3, 1986.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 317: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): Apr. 22, considered and passed Senate. Sept. 18, considered and passed House.

Oct. 3, 1986 [S.J. Res. 317]

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