Summary
Increases the number of trained palliative and hospice care professionals by funding education, research, and career development programs.
What problem does this solve?
Many people with serious illnesses do not have access to specialized care that focuses on comfort and quality of life. This bill provides money for schools and hospitals to train more doctors, nurses, and other professionals in palliative and hospice care.
Who does this affect?
- Patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses
- Healthcare professionals and students
- Medical schools, nursing schools, and teaching hospitals
What does this bill do?
Establishes education programs
Creates grants for medical schools, nursing schools, and other programs to establish or operate Palliative Care and Hospice Education Programs for health professionals.
Funds physician training
Provides grants to medical schools and teaching hospitals to support the training of doctors who plan to teach or practice palliative medicine.
Creates academic career awards
Sets up awards to help junior faculty at health professional schools develop their careers as academic specialists in hospice and palliative care.
Authorizes funding for programs
Approves $15 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for general palliative care education and $5 million per year for nursing-specific programs.
Promotes public awareness
Directs the government to share information with patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care for those with serious illnesses.
Expands national research
Requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a strategy to expand and intensify national research programs in palliative care.
Restricts use of funds
States that no funds from this act may be used to provide or promote any service related to causing a patient's death.
What is the real world impact?
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Improves care for people with serious illnesses
Aims to increase the number of trained professionals to provide better comfort-focused care for patients and their families, from diagnosis through the end of life.
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Addresses the needs of an aging population
Prepares the healthcare system for a growing number of older adults and others living with long-term, serious illnesses who require specialized palliative care services.
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Prevents funds from being used for assisted suicide
Includes specific language to ensure that the education, training, and care provided under this act cannot be used to assist in a patient's death, addressing potential controversy on the topic.
When does this start?
The provisions of this bill will take effect 90 days after it becomes law, with specific funding and reporting timelines.
Program funding
Authorizes funding for various education and training programs for each of the fiscal years from 2026 through 2030.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 6(b)
Header:
Expanding NIH research reporting to include palliative care research
NIH research reporting
Requires the National Institutes of Health to begin including palliative care in its research reporting starting on January 1, 2026.