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2000 SESSION

003948856
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 369
Offered January 25, 2000
Requesting the Joint Commission on Health Care, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, Hospice, the Medical Society of Virginia, the Virginia Nurses Association, the Virginia Pharmacists Association, the Hospital and Health Care Association, and the Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative, to study the issues involved in palliative care.
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Patrons-- Morgan, Baskerville and Darner; Senators: Couric, Howell and Mims
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Consent to introduce
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, data indicate that 50 to 90 percent of patients with end-of-life diseases die with pain and other symptoms; and,

WHEREAS, it is increasingly recognized that pain exists along with other symptoms in end-of-life diseases; and,

WHEREAS, palliative care is an interdisciplinary therapeutic model that focuses on the comprehensive management of the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families with progressive incurable illnesses; and

WHEREAS, palliative care should be integrated into routine care across all health care disciplines; and

WHEREAS, pain management has been addressed in the past through various General Assembly studies dating back to 1994; however, the concept of palliative care has not been explored; and,

WHEREAS, in Virginia, there is no central location for patients and families to receive comprehensive information regarding palliative care; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive plan for education and training of health care providers does not currently exist in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, legal, organizational, and economic obstacles may further hamper quality of care at the end of life; and,

WHEREAS, palliative care includes a broad range of interventions that together offer the patient and family the best possible quality of life throughout the course of the disease; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Commission on Health Care, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, Hospice, the Medical Society of Virginia, the Virginia Nurses Association, the Virginia Pharmacists Association, the Hospital and Health Care Association, and the Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative, study the issues involved in palliative care. In its deliberations, the Joint Commission shall address the following issues: (i) identify a central resource for patients and families; (ii) designate a central information source, as well as a training program for health professionals; (iii) identify barriers (access, economic, organizational, ethical, and legal barriers) as well as deficiencies that currently exist in the health care system; and, (iv) develop an evaluation plan to assess quality and outcomes of palliative care in order to ensure that the patient and his family are able to maintain the best possible quality of life throughout the course of the disease; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That a funding mechanism shall be created to accomplish the palliative care initiatives.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission, upon request.

The Joint Commission shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2001 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.