WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 2018 — The Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) today applaud the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee for advancing the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) (S. 693/H.R. 1676).  Introduced by Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), Representative Tom Reed (R-NY), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), PCHETA would ensure an adequate, well-trained palliative care workforce through workforce training, education and awareness, and enhanced research.
 
“Palliative care and hospice are critical services for people in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, and other fatal disease,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association Chief Public Policy Officer and AIM Executive Director. “On behalf of the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, we thank the Subcommittee and Chairman Michael Burgess (R-TX-26) and Gene Green (D-TX-29) for bringing this important legislation before the subcommittee.”
 
PCHETA would make palliative and hospice care more available to millions of Americans by establishing workforce training programs, creating a national education and awareness campaign to inform the public about services and supports, and enhancing research on improving delivery of palliative care. Studies have concluded that hospitalization is not recommended for individuals with advanced dementia due to the significant burdens of aggressive treatment and the difficulty of pain management for those who cannot communicate in the hospital setting.
 
PCHETA will help ensure that the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer's, have access to quality care and end of life services, making a devastating diagnosis slightly more manageable.

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

Alzheimer’s Impact Movement

The Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) is the advocacy arm of the Alzheimer’s Association. AIM works to develop and advance policies to overcome Alzheimer’s disease through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support. For more information, visit alzimpact.org.