Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 16, 2025
Bottom line
The bill aims to bolster the palliative and hospice care workforce and public awareness through targeted federal funding for education, training, and research initiatives.
What it actually does
This bill establishes and expands several programs within the Public Health Service Act to enhance palliative and hospice care education, training, and research. It creates grants for Palliative Care and Hospice Education Programs, supports physician training in palliative medicine, and provides academic career awards and workforce development fellowships for various health professionals. Additionally, it mandates the dissemination of palliative care information to the public and directs the National Institutes of Health to expand research in this area, while clarifying that federal funds cannot be used for services related to causing a patient's death.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the bill addresses a critical shortage of trained palliative and hospice care professionals, improves patient quality of life, and ensures that individuals with serious or life-threatening illnesses receive comprehensive, patient-centered care. They emphasize the importance of interprofessional team-based care and the need for increased public understanding of palliative care benefits.
Opponents contend
Potential critics might raise concerns about the expansion of federal programs and associated spending, questioning the efficiency of creating new grant programs versus leveraging existing structures. Some might also express apprehension about the scope of 'palliative care' if not clearly defined, though the bill includes specific clarifications to prevent misuse.
The bill is moderately detailed but structured logically, making it accessible for an informed reader to evaluate its core provisions within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 2(a), new section 759A(a) of the Public Health Service Act
Establishment of Palliative Care and Hospice Education Programs
This provision directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants or contracts to eligible entities to establish or operate Palliative Care and Hospice Education Programs. These programs will train health professionals in palliative and hospice care, emphasizing patient and family engagement, integration with primary and specialty care, and collaboration with community partners. Priority is given to programs benefiting rural, underserved, pediatric, or minority populations, and those integrating palliative care into primary care or other specialties.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision directly addresses the workforce shortage by funding comprehensive training programs, ensuring a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of delivering integrated, patient-centered palliative care.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against funding for medical education, though some might question the administrative overhead or potential for duplication with existing programs, a concern the bill attempts to address.
Tradeoffs
Balances the need for specialized training with the desire for broad integration of palliative care across various health settings and populations.
Section 2(a), new section 759A(b) of the Public Health Service Act
Support for Physician Training in Palliative Medicine
This section authorizes grants and contracts to medical schools, teaching hospitals, and graduate medical education programs to support projects that train physicians in palliative medicine. These projects must be accredited, staffed by experienced teaching physicians, provide interprofessional team-based training across various care settings, and develop competency measures for trainees. It includes options for 1-year retraining programs for faculty and 1- or 2-year programs for physicians completing other specialties.
Section 2(a), new section 759A(c) of the Public Health Service Act
Academic Career Development Awards for Palliative Care Specialists
This provision establishes a program to provide 'Palliative Care and Hospice Academic Career Awards' to eligible individuals with junior faculty appointments at accredited health professions schools (medical, nursing, social work, physician assistant, chaplaincy, etc.). These awards promote career development for academic hospice and palliative care specialists, requiring recipients to spend a majority of their funded time on teaching and developing skills in interprofessional team-based palliative care. Awards can last up to 5 years and match amounts provided under section 753(b)(5)(A).
Section 2(a), new section 759A(d) of the Public Health Service Act
Short-Term Intensive Fellowship Programs for Faculty
This section authorizes grants or contracts to existing Palliative Care and Hospice Education Programs (established under subsection (a)) to offer short-term intensive fellowships. These fellowships provide supplemental training in interprofessional team-based palliative care for current faculty members and appropriately credentialed volunteer faculty/practitioners who lack formal palliative care training. The goal is to upgrade their knowledge and clinical skills for serious illness care and enhance their teaching abilities. Each award is capped at $150,000, with a limit of 24 programs receiving awards.
Section 2(a), new section 759A(e) of the Public Health Service Act
Incentive Awards for Advanced Degree Students in Palliative Care
This provision authorizes grants or contracts to institutions on behalf of advanced practice nurses, social workers, physician assistants, pharmacists, chaplains, psychologists, and other health care professionals pursuing advanced degrees with a focus on interprofessional team-based palliative care. As a condition of receiving the award, individuals must agree to teach or practice palliative care in health-related educational, home, hospice, or long-term care settings for a minimum of 5 years after completing the award period.
Section 3, amending sections 831(b)(3) and adding new section 832 to Part D of title VIII of the Public Health Service Act
Enhanced Nursing Education and Training in Palliative Care
This section amends the Public Health Service Act to explicitly include 'hospice and palliative nursing' in nurse education, practice, and quality grants. it also authorizes new grants for eligible entities (nursing schools, healthcare facilities, certified nurse assistant programs) to develop and implement programs to train and educate individuals in providing interprofessional team-based palliative care across various settings. Funds can be used for direct training, curriculum development, faculty training, and continuing education.
Section 4, adding new section 904 to Part A of title IX of the Public Health Service Act
Public Information Campaign on Palliative Care Benefits
This provision authorizes the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to disseminate information to patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care. The information must explain what palliative care is, the services provided, the role of professionals, and evidence-based research. It mandates targeting specific populations (Medicare, Medicaid, VA beneficiaries, medically underserved, pediatric, minority) and requires posting information on relevant federal websites. The Director must consult with professional societies and patient advocate organizations.
Section 6, adding new section 409K to Part B of title IV and amending section 402A(c)(2)(B) of the Public Health Service Act
National Institutes of Health Palliative Care Research Strategy
This section directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (or designee) to develop and implement a strategy across all NIH institutes and centers to expand and intensify national research programs in palliative care. The goal is to address the quality of care and life for patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses, including various chronic and neurodegenerative diseases. It also amends existing law to require NIH reporting to include research on palliative care starting January 1, 2026.
This section explicitly states that none of the funds made available under this Act can be used to provide, promote, or train with regard to any item or service for which federal funding is unavailable under section 3 of Public Law 105-12 (which restricts federal funding for abortion). It further clarifies that palliative care and hospice under this Act shall not be furnished for the purpose of causing, or assisting in causing, a patient's death.
Section 5
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to include clarifying or limiting language, often to address potential misinterpretations or political sensitivities. It ensures the bill's intent aligns with existing federal funding restrictions and ethical considerations in end-of-life care.
Case for: Supporters argue this clarification is essential to prevent any misinterpretation of the bill's intent, ensuring that palliative and hospice care are understood as life-affirming and supportive, not as promoting or facilitating euthanasia or assisted suicide. It aligns the bill with existing federal funding restrictions.
Case against: Critics might argue that such explicit language is unnecessary if the bill's primary purpose is clear, or that it could be perceived as overly cautious or even subtly stigmatizing to discussions around end-of-life choices, even if not directly related to the bill's core functions.
Estimated impact: Ensures federal funds are used in accordance with existing legal and ethical frameworks, preventing potential controversies or legal challenges related to the scope of palliative care services.