On February 17, 2017, fourteen health care organizations, including the National POLST Paradigm Office, joined together in sending a letter to Tom Price, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and David Shulkin, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to Amy Vandenbroucke, Executive Director of the National POLST Paradigm, “The purpose of the letter is to present a range of policies advancing palliative and end-of-life care that likely improves care for those who are seriously ill and near the end of life. This document supports the POLST Paradigm by encouraging its use within appropriate populations and emphasizing the importance of having POLST Forms available through a single-click in an electronic medical record.”
The letter identifies key challenges to improving palliative care and end-of-life care, and details many recommendations for addressing them. In conclusion, the organizations indicate a strong desire to work with the current administration, offering to meet and discuss the proposed recommendations.
The fourteen organizations who signed the letter include:
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
- American Geriatrics Society
- American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
- Blue Shield of California
- Cambia Health Solutions
- Center to Advance Palliative Care
- Coalition to Transform Advanced Care
- Consumer Coalition for Quality Health Care
- National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
- National Partnership for Hospice Innovation
- National POLST Paradigm
- The Pew Charitable Trusts
We encourage to you read and share this letter in helping to promote to the new administration continued efforts to improve advanced palliative and end-of-life care during this critical time of transition.
» Download the Letter to Tom Price and David Shulkin (PDF).
» Download Recommendations for Integrating POLST Forms with Electronic Health Records (PDF).