Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 101 Part 1.djvu/865

 PUBLIC LAW 100-142—OCT. 28, 1987

101 STAT. 835

Public Law 100-142 100th Congress Joint Resolution To designate the month of November in 1987 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 for 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 a permanent medicare hospice benefit and an optional medicaid hospice benefit makes it possible for many more 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 in 1987 is designated as "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 those months 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 as a viable component of the health care system in this country. Approved October 28, 1987.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 234: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 133 (1987): Sept. 23, considered and passed House. Oct. 15, considered and passed Senate, amended. Oct. 20, House concurred in Senate amendments.

91-194 O - 90 - 28: QL.3 Part 1

Oct. 28, 1987 "TH^FR 2S41

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