Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 1.djvu/1078

 102 STAT. 1040

PUBLIC LAW 100-405—AUG. 19, 1988

Public Law 100-405 100th Congress Joint Resolution Aug. 19, 1988 [H.J. Res. 525]

To designate the month of November 1988 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 1988 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 the 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 as a viable component of the health care system in this country. Approved August 19, 1988.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 525 (S.J. Res. 289): CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): May 11, considered and passed House. July 26, S.J. Res. 289 considered and passed Senate. Aug. 9, H.J. Res. 525 considered and passed Senate.

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