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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Chairman, Majority Policy Committee |
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Majority Policy Committee hears from experts about palliative care
PITTSBURGH, May 13 – The House Majority Policy Committee held a public hearing today at the Children’s Institute in Pittsburgh to learn more about palliative care and its status in Pennsylvania, according to Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster.
Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, requested the hearing and served as co-chairman.
"Often when trying to cure a disease, the painful symptoms that result from the illness or the treatment itself can be overlooked, and palliative care can be a useful pain management tool for alleviating suffering," Sturla said. "Representative Frankel has done an exceptional job in explaining palliative care's importance and in urging health-care professionals to be informed of its benefits."
Frankel said, "It’s terrible when children get sick, and inconceivable that they may die. Unfortunately, 400,000 children in the United States live with illnesses that mean they won’t make it to adulthood. Children and adults both deserve care that addresses not only any underlying disease, but also their physical, spiritual and psychological well-being to live the best quality life possible. That’s what palliative care does, and it’s why we need to expand access to pain management and palliative care in Pennsylvania."
Those testifying at the hearing included Dr. Steven Docimo, vice president of medical affairs, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; Carol May, registered nurse, manager of Supportive Care Program, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; Meghan Murphy, parent of a palliative care patient; Nancy Zionts, chief program officer, Jewish Healthcare Foundation; and Dr. Robert Arnold, director of the Palliative Care Service, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
For more information about the Policy Committee and hearing materials, go to www.pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee.