2020 Maine Session Summary
Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care.
The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering while supporting the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. Provided by a team of clinicians and specialists, palliative care improves quality, controls costs, and enhances patient and family satisfaction for the rapidly expanding population of individuals with serious or life-threatening illness.
During the 2015 Texas legislative session, ACS CAN championed legislation to establish an educational program and advisory council to support palliative care awareness. Access to this extra layer of care from the time of diagnosis can significantly improve patient quality of life and improve outcomes. The Texas Palliative Care Advisory Council is one of the first in the nation. Several other states, as well as the federal government, have followed Texas’ lead and considered similar legislation. Click here to learn more about The Texas Palliative Care Advisory Council.
In 2017, the Texas Legislature passed an amendment removing the automatic four-year sunset for the Palliative Care Advisory Council, ensuring it can continue to research and share best practices in this emerging field of medicine.