AAHPM Advocacy – Key Issues

AAHPM engages in public policy advocacy to advance the field, promote the interests of palliative care and hospice patients, and support the health professionals that care for them. The needs of patients and their families throughout the care continuum guide AAHPM’s policy agenda.

Federal Legislation

Review all the bills AAHPM is tracking in Congress.

AAHPM endorsed the following measures in the 112th Congress:

Personalize Your Care Act of 2011 (H.R. 1589)  

Hospice Evaluation and Legitimate Payment (HELP) Act (S. 722) 

Medicare Hospice Care Access Act of 2011 (S. 891)

Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

The AAHPM-crafted Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) was introduced in the U.S. Congress in July 2012, thanks to years of Academy-led negotiation and advocacy. Designed to address the workforce needs in the field of hospice and palliative care, PCHETA represents AAHPM's strong belief that broader access to high-quality palliative and hospice care holds transformational possibilities for the American health care system.

The bill provides for:
• Education centers to expand interdisciplinary training in palliative and hospice care;
• Training for physicians who plan to teach palliative medicine and fellowships to encourage re-training for mid-career physicians; and
• Academic career awards and career incentive awards to support physicians and other health care providers who provide palliative and hospice care training.

Learn more about the issue and read a summary of the proposed bill.