Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 2.djvu/457

 PUBLIC LAW 98-423—SEPT. 25, 1984

98 STAT. 1617

Public Law 98-423 98th Congress Joint Resolution To provide for the designation of the month of November 1984, 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 relative 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 care 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; 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 1984, is designated as "National Hospice Month", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon all Government agencies, the medical community, appropriate private organizations, and the 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 September 25, 1984.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 384: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): Aug. 10, considered and passed Senate. Sept. 12, considered and passed House.

Sept. 2b, 1984 [S.J. Res. 334]

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