BILL NUMBER: SCR 117	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Pan

                        MARCH 7, 2016

   Relative to palliative care.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 117, as introduced, Pan. Palliative care.
   This measure would encourage the State of California to study the
status and importance of coordinated palliative care and to develop
solutions, tools, and best practices for providing better
patient-centered care and information to individuals with chronic
diseases in California.
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, Palliative care means patient- and family-centered
medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating,
preventing, and treating suffering caused by serious illness; and
   WHEREAS, Palliative care administered throughout the continuum of
illness involves addressing physical, emotional, social, and
spiritual needs that facilitate patient autonomy, access to
information, and choice; and
   WHEREAS, Palliative care includes, but is not limited to,
discussions of the patient's goals for treatment, treatment options
appropriate to the patient, including hospice care, and comprehensive
pain and symptom management; and
   WHEREAS, All patients who are experiencing complex, chronic health
issues that affect their quality of life should be offered
palliative care as an option, as it is appropriate at any age and at
any stage, and can be provided along with curative treatment; and
   WHEREAS, When palliative care programs are provided, a larger
percentage of hospice patients are identified earlier in their
eligibility window, which enables them to take advantage of these
valuable services for a longer period of time; and
   WHEREAS, The United States healthcare system faces an increased
burden with spikes in the senior citizen population coupled with
increases in persons with complex chronic conditions and more people
gaining access to healthcare through insurance coverage for the first
time; and
   WHEREAS, Recent studies indicate that by closely matching
treatment with a patient's goals and improving his or her quality of
life, palliative care can provide substantial cost reduction; and
   WHEREAS, A population trained about the benefits of palliative
care boosts our medical and social care workforce; and
   WHEREAS, The California Health and Human Services Agency's Let's
Get Healthy California Task Force identified palliative care as one
of its top priorities and indicators for all Californians to enjoy
optimal health in its 2012 report; and
   WHEREAS, The formation of a state palliative care and quality of
life interdisciplinary advisory council and a palliative care
information and education program within the Department of Public
Health would maximize the effectiveness of palliative care
initiatives in the state by ensuring that comprehensive and accurate
information and education about palliative care is available to the
public, healthcare providers, and healthcare facilities; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature encourages the state to
study the status and importance of coordinated palliative care as a
patient quality of life issue, as a way to improve the quality and
delivery of healthcare services, and as a way to more effectively
spend limited healthcare dollars; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages the state to develop
solutions, tools, and best practices for providing better
patient-centered care and information to individuals with chronic
diseases in California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.