Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 105 Part 1.djvu/639

 PUBLIC LAW 102-121—OCT. 8, 1991 105 STAT. 611 Public Law 102-121 102d Congress ,. x>/.. Joint Resolution To designate the month of November 1991 and 1992 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 community volunteers trained in the hospice concept of care; Whereas hospice is becoming a full partner in the Nation's health care system; Whereas the enactment of a permanent medicare hospice benefit and an optional medicaid hospice benefit makes it possible for many more United States citizens 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 1991 and 1992 is designated as "National Hospice Month". The President is authorized and 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 such 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 the Nation. Approved October 8, 1991. , LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 78: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 137 (1991): June 26, considered and passed Senate. Sept. 30, considered and passed House. Oct. 8, 1991 [S.J. Res. 78]

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