AAHPM 2013 Public Policy Priorities

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine 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. The following priorities are intended to help direct the Academy’s efforts and resources, including collaboration with outside entities.

A just, effective and efficient system of health care requires palliative care as a key component. In order to achieve this aim, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine will focus its advocacy efforts on:

• developing an adequate, well-trained hospice and palliative care workforce to ensure access to quality care for the expanding population of patients with multiple chronic conditions or life-limiting or serious illness, as well as their families.
  
  
• preserving and expanding access to and delivery of hospice and palliative medicine services in all clinical settings and emerging payment models, including reimbursement for physician time spent in patient/family consultation to determine patient goals and align treatment, such as advance care planning.
  
  
• increasing funding for hospice and palliative care research to strengthen clinical practice and improve health care delivery for patients living with multiple chronic conditions or life-threatening or serious illness, as well as their families.
  
  
• ensuring timely access to prescription medications (e.g. certain federally-controlled substances, such as opioid analgesics) for patients with medically appropriate indications, including collaborating with professional, regulatory and industry stakeholders to reduce the frequency and adverse impact of national drug shortages.

• promoting patient safety by advancing palliative care in national quality strategies; promoting recognition that care coordination and interdisciplinary teams are essential for improving care; advocating for involvement of patients and their families in the design, delivery, and evaluation of care; and encouraging and participating in the ongoing development of strategies that help reduce prescription medication diversion and misuse.

−Approved by Board of Directors March 13, 2013