Supportive Care Coalition advocacy efforts are directed toward supporting our member organizations in shaping and addressing state and federal policies that impact access to and quality of palliative care services. The Coalition works closely with the advocacy leaders of member organizations including the Catholic Health Association. In addition, the Coalition collaborates with other palliative care and end- of-life organizations in addressing areas of mutual concern.
In February 2006, Catholic Health Association (CHA), a member of Supportive Care Coalition, described the advocacy issue, ministry tradition, and advocacy activities related to compassionate palliative care on its web site. The Coalition joins its efforts to those of CHA and extends them in its circles of influence. With the permission of CHA, the following is reproduced from the CHA web site.
THE ISSUE
Persons facing serious illness and persons approaching the end of life should receive care that is compassionate, competent, and that addresses the needs of the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. They have a right to expect care that begins with advanced planning and includes full information about their health condition; active participation in decisions about their care; high quality medical, nursing and psycho-social services that includes relief of pain and other symptoms; and attention to spiritual needs that helps them find meaning and peace of mind in the face of their illness. Palliative care supports persons who are seriously ill as well as their families and caregivers.
Too often, patients and their families do not get the care, services, and compassion they need when they face serious illness. Too often, care is not coordinated among care providers and settings, advanced directives are not followed, and persons experience avoidable pain and suffering. This does not have to happen. There are examples of excellence in palliative care throughout the health care delivery system, including Catholic health care. Public policies, through regulatory and payment incentives and support for research and education can help ensure that all persons needing palliative care receive quality, coordinated services across settings and over time.
MINISTRY TRADITION
Compassionate care to all persons, especially to persons who are in pain and who are dying, has been a hallmark of Catholic health care. We are following the example of Jesus when we care for people who are in great need. Such care is described in Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services in its discussions on sanctity of life, stewardship, and treating pain.
Our view on the sanctity of life is based on the conviction that every individual life is created by God and in the image of God. Because each life is sacred, every person, however frail or incapacitated, should be treated with respect and compassion.
The concepts of stewardship and sanctity of life help caregivers avoid the two popular extremes of the current end-of-life debate: the effort to delay death at all costs and the conviction that our lives are completely our own. The prohibition against killing reminds caregivers that their bias should always be toward preserving life.
The Directives also remind us that one of the primary purposes of medicine in caring for the dying is the relief of pain and the suffering caused by it. Effective management of pain in all its forms is critical in the appropriate care of the dying.
CHA'S POSITION AND ACTIVITIES
The Catholic Health Association works in partnership with Catholic health care systems, facilities and programs to promote excellence in palliative care practice. CHA is a partner with several Catholic health care systems in Supportive Care Coalition: Pursuing Excellence in Palliative Care, which is committed to bring about cultural change regarding pain and symptom management and relief of suffering for persons living with and affected by life-threatening illness. CHA is also working with the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, (GWISH) in examining the role of spiritual care in providing health care services.
CHA also includes compassionate palliative care in the association's advocacy priorities, and advocates public policies that support:
· Payment incentives for chronic disease management and treatment of seriously ill persons.
· Continuity of patient information across time and setting through electronic records.
· Education for health professionals and the public on palliative care and optimum end-of-life care.
· Home and community-based care when possible, and preferred for persons seriously ill.
· Research on improved palliative care and care at the end of life.
· Access to respite care and other support services for family members and others providing care at home for seriously ill persons.”
To view the CHA advocacy agenda, please go to http://www.chausa.org/Pub/MainNav/whatwedo/Advocacy/AdvocacyAgenda/