AUGUSTA, MAINE – The Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care recently presented U.S. Senator Susan Collins with its annual “Friend of the Maine Hospice Council Award.” Senator Collins was recognized for her support for the Council’s work to advance hospice and palliative care in Maine.
Said Executive Director Kandyce Powell, “Senator Collins has believed in the work of the Maine Hospice Council for many years. She also has been instrumental in securing federal funding from the Administration on Aging to develop the Maine Center for End-of-Life Care. The Senator’s commitment to helping ensure the Center’s financial sustainability demonstrates her understanding of the needs of Maine people for quality end-of-life care both now and in the future. The Center is helping to address those needs, and we are pleased to recognize Senator Collins for her outstanding support.”
The Maine Center for End-of-Life Care was developed to address the critical issues facing both consumers and providers of end-of-life care. For example, even though most people in Maine report that they would prefer to die at home, fewer than 29% are able to do so. In addition, Maine ranks 48th in the country in utilization of the Medicare Hospice Benefit, despite the fact that hospice services have been proven to be both valuable for families and cost effective to the healthcare system.
Said Powell, “This is a significant issue that needs to be addressed now. In the coming years, the number of individuals over 65 is projected to increase exponentially. Health care professionals and researchers are identifying end-of-life care as a potential public health issue.”
The Maine Center for End-of-Life Care is focused on community engagement, education, advocacy and research on behalf of both consumers and providers of end-of-life care. Amy Line, President of the Council’s Board of Directors, characterized the Center as “a primary resource for policy makers, health care providers and Maine citizens needing quality end-of-life care.”
On learning of the award, Senator Collins wrote, “It is truly a privilege to be recognized by the Maine Hospice Council, which has been, and continues to be a leader for hospice care in Maine. Your critically important work has helped countless patients and families.”
Accepting the award on the Senator’s behalf was Bill Card, Senator Collins’ Maine State Office Representative, who “has been exceptionally helpful throughout the federal appropriations process,” said Powell.
The Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care is a statewide membership organization working to advance hospice and end-of-life care by providing education for consumers and providers, advocacy for state policy improvements, and research on end-of-life issues, as well as data collection to benchmark progress. The donor-supported organization focuses on increasing access to end-of-life care for all Maine people, especially the underserved and vulnerable populations. Tax-deductible donations are accepted by calling 1-800-438-5963 or visiting www.mainehospicecouncil.org.
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