10.11.16

Hoeven Discusses Efforts to Expand Access to Palliative Care at North Dakota Cancer Summit

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today outlined his efforts to expand palliative care, including cosponsoring a bill to improve palliative and hospice care. He discussed his work on the issue at the second annual North Dakota Cancer Summit, hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. The summit focused on using palliative care to improve the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses.

“In addition to being life threatening, the symptoms of cancer and other serious diseases can be overwhelming,” Hoeven said. “With an increasing number of Americans living with these chronic illnesses, we must strengthen the palliative care workforce to meet the demand and needs of patients who may dealing with debilitating symptoms as the result of their condition or treatment plan.”

Hoeven is cosponsoring the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (S. 2748), legislation that would expand educational and training opportunities for health professionals in palliative and hospice care. The bill also boosts federal research in palliative care and establishes a national palliative care public education and awareness campaign.

Additionally, Hoeven is working to pass the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act, legislation to provide veterans with greater access to long-term care services including palliative care in their home communities. This legislation was approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in December.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven continues to support robust funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which advances new treatments and cures for many chronic diseases, such as cancer.

-###-