Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 107 Part 2.djvu/570

 107 STAT. 1522 PUBLIC LAW 103-154—NOV. 24, 1993 Public Law 103-154 103d Congress Joint Resolution Nov. 24, 1993 To designate the month of November in 1993 and 1994 as "National Hospice. [H.J. Res. 159] 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 has become 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 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 V 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 1993 and 1994 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 each of those months with appropriate forums, programs and activities designed to encourage national recognition of and sypport 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 November 24, 1993. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 159: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 139 (1993): Nov. 18, considered and passed House. Nov. 20, considered and passed Senate.

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