R 193

2003 -- H 6407

Enacted 05/08/03

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING OCTOBER 19 THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2003 AS "HOSPICE

AWARENESS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Ginaitt, Lewiss, Reilly, and E Coderre

Date Introduced: May 01, 2003

     WHEREAS, Hospice care treats the person instead of the disease, providing terminally ill

patients with the opportunity to fulfill their wish to more fully live their final days, weeks or

months in a comfortable environment, surrounded by friends and family; and

     WHEREAS, Hospice is a valuable type of health care, typically providing patients with

the combined knowledge and skills of an interdisciplinary team of professionals and services,

including physicians, nurses, home health aides, medical appliances and supplies, dietary,

spiritual, and other counseling services, continuous care during crisis periods, trained volunteers,

and bereavement services; and

     WHEREAS, Hospice not only takes care of patients' medical needs, but provides

emotional and practical assistance to them, helping to alleviate the fears associated with terminal

illnesses; and

     WHEREAS, Hesitation to address the issue of dying is understandable but sometimes

contributes to increasing the agony of death and minimizing the benefits that families can get

from services available to help them in times of emergency; and

     WHEREAS, The death of a loved one can be difficult for people, and hospice services

provide for not only the afflicted patient, but also offer support for family and friends; and

     WHEREAS, An increase in public awareness and greater understanding of hospice care

availability will better serve the citizens of Rhode Island, who suffer from terminal illness, and

their families; and

     WHEREAS, Nearly ninety percent (90%) of all Americans do not think that Medicare

covers the cost of hospice services; and

     WHEREAS, Seventy percent (70%) of Americans say they want to die at home, yet

seventy-five percent (75%) actually die in medical institutions; and

     WHEREAS, The median time Rhode Islanders utilize the services of hospice care is only

13.7 days. This is considerably shorter than the average time services are utilized in at least

forty-five (45) other states; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health has an interest in the medical care

of Rhode Island's citizens and has the ability to educate and communicate to the public the

seriousness of consideration for end-of-life care and the potential benefits that hospice services

offer; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby proclaims the week of October 19 through October 25, 2003 to be "Hospice

Awareness Week" in the State of Rhode Island. We support and recognize the significant

benefits provided to the citizens, families and communities in Rhode Island by hospice services;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly respectfully urges the Department of Health to

embrace and support hospice care as a crucial service for terminally ill patients by providing

educational programs to physicians, health care providers and the public, and by disseminating

the important role of hospice care for patients, as well as the avenues of access to hospice care for

the citizens of the state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Health.

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LC03157

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