Department of Veterans Affairs Reports VA is Leader in Hospice and Palliative Care

In This Section

Circle of Life Recognition Includes Citation to Coalition Member Facility

Coalition’s Focus on Excellence in Palliative Care Included in Article Describing Support and Opposition to Washington State’s Death with Dignity Initiative

Congress Recordings Available

Congress Recordings Available at end of June

Electronic POLST Registry to Ensure Wishes and Serve as National Model

End of Life Report by GAO Available

JCAHO Palliative Care Proposal Field Reviews

National Advance Healthcare Decision Making Day April 16

No One Dies Alone Program and Volunteer Featured

POLST Pilot Project and Advances in California

Rise in Hospital Palliative Care Programs - Catholic Institution One Common Thread

Supportive Voice Newsletter Features a Taste of National Congress

The Law the Talk and the Care

January 14, 2008

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing hospice and palliative care to a growing number of veterans throughout the country as the need continues to rise for care and comfort at the end of life, reports a press release posted on the US Department of Veterans Affairs web site, http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1442. Nearly 9,000 veterans were treated in designated hospice beds at VA facilities in 2007, and thousands of other veterans were referred to community hospices to receive care in their homes. The number of veterans treated in VA’s inpatient hospice beds increased by 21 percent in 2007. In addition, the average daily number of veterans receiving hospice care in their homes paid for by VA increased by 30 percent this past year. To date, VA has partnered with community hospice programs in 35 states to promote hospice services that are not provided directly by VA staff.