Kimberly, WI – Today, the State Assembly approved Assembly Bill 23, a bill that would establish a state Palliative Care Council. The Wisconsin Hospice and Palliative Care Association (WiHPCA) strongly supports this legislation, which would ultimately help increase awareness and utilization of this specialized type of medical care throughout the state. The Assembly Committee on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care voted 14-1 on March 13 to recommend approval of this legislation.
This bill would establish a council of individuals with palliative care and other medical expertise to consult and advise the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) on this type of specialized medical care. In addition, this legislation would require DHS to create a statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program, as this type of specialized care is often misunderstood.
Palliative care is specialized, integrated medical care for people with serious life threating illnesses – such as cancer, congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease – focused on providing patients and families with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of such illnesses.
This type of care is meant for the sickest and most vulnerable patients, as well as their families. Palliative care specialists may include a physician, nurse, social worker, chaplain, and other care specialists who work alongside a patient’s doctor to provide an extra layer of support.
“WiHPCA greatly appreciates the Assembly for approving Assembly Bill 23, and we also would like to thank the bill authors – Representative Patrick Snyder (R-Weston) and Senator Jesse James (R-Thorp) – for their work on this legislation. This bill will increase awareness of palliative care throughout the state and help Wisconsinites receive needed medical care for their symptoms, which will improve the quality of life for patients and their families,” said Lynne Sexten, WiHPCA Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Agrace.
“Access to palliative care varies widely across our state. In particular, over half of rural hospitals do not provide any type of palliative care specialists. Home and clinic-based palliative care is also available in Wisconsin, but it is extremely limited,” continued Sexten.
WiHPCA is a statewide membership-based association that is committed to raising public awareness and improving the delivery of hospice and palliative care across Wisconsin through education and advocacy. We are committed to expanding access to high-quality, compassionate care for Wisconsin patients and their families facing life-limiting and end-of-life illnesses.
