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Bills would address palliative care shortage
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03/22/13 03:24 PM ET
New bills from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) would increase federal investment in palliative care — a specialty that is increasingly in demand as the U.S. population ages.
The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (S. 641 and H.R. 1339) would create education centers devoted to palliative center in medical schools around the country, as well as fellowships to provide additional training to healthcare workers.
Figures provided by Wyden's office estimated that the United States lacks as many as 18,000 needed palliative care doctors.
"Patients want [palliative care] because it gives them and their families the support they need when they're dealing with a serious illness," said ACS CAN President Chris Hansen in a statement.
"That’s why palliative care is one the fastest growing trends in health care, and why we need more trained professionals in the field."
Lawmakers have floated several bills in the last month to cope with the wider U.S. doctor shortage. Read about those here and here.
—This post was updated at 7:33 p.m.
