Columbia, SC–February 15, 2018–This statement can be attributed to Beth Johnson, director of government relations in South Carolina for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).
“Representative Mary Gail Douglas and Representative Ray Felder with co-sponsors Representative Robert Ridgeway and Representative Bruce Bryant, introduced a bill yesterday that would improve the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. The palliative care bill is an example of concerned and caring legislators desiring to improve the quality of life of South Carolinians. We urge Representatives Douglas and Felder’s fellow state lawmakers to support the health and quality of life of their constituents by supporting this legislation.
“Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses and is focused on providing patients with relief from the stress and other symptoms that come along with a diagnosis such as cancer. It is appropriate at any age and for any stage of a disease. Most importantly, research indicates that palliative care systems increase health outcomes while reducing health care costs.
“Studies have shown coordinating patient care and treating pain and symptoms leads to increased patient and family satisfaction and decreases the time spent in intensive care units and the likelihood patients will be readmitted to hospitals.
“The legislation would create the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Study Committee that would begin educating the state about palliative care in South Carolina and looking for opportunities to improve palliative care services in the state.
“We salute Representative Douglas and Representative Felder for working across party lines on this bill.”
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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