National Hospice Month, 2001

Proclamation 7508 of November 29, 2001

National Hospice Month, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each year, approximately 700,000 terminally ill
patients and their families rely on the invaluable end-
of-life care provided by the 3,100 hospice programs
located in the United States. Hospice care allows a
terminally ill individual to receive professional
medical services, pain management therapy, and
emotional and spiritual support, without having to
enter a hospital. This focus on the patient's quality
of life during his or her last illness can make the
best of the most challenging of situations.

Hospices create a compassionate atmosphere where
patients will be able to die with dignity, preferably
in their home environment, surrounded and supported by
loved ones, familiar friends, and committed caregivers.
Professional and compassionate hospice staff and
volunteers, including physicians, nurses, social
workers, therapists, and clergy, provide comprehensive
care and attend to the particular needs and wishes of
each patient. Family members and friends also receive
counseling and bereavement care that help them cope
with the impending loss of their loved one.

Individuals and groups in the private and public
sectors are working together to strengthen and expand
hospice programs and to promote their services as a
positive alternative for terminally ill patients.
Today, hospice care is a full partner in our Nation's
health care system, furthering our efforts to provide
medical services in more compassionate and cost-
effective ways. More important, providing high-quality
hospice care reaffirms our belief in the essential
dignity of every person, regardless of age, health, or
social status, and that every stage of human life
deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and
care. My Administration remains committed to supporting
health care programs like hospice that encourage
quality medical care and frequent doctor-patient
interaction.

With the observance of National Hospice Month, we
recognize those who serve in our Nation's hospices,
often as caregivers in the homes of hospice patients.
Caring for a terminally ill patient can be emotionally
painful, physically exhausting, and financially
difficult. I call on all Americans to honor the
professionals and volunteers who dedicate their lives
to aiding the terminally ill through hospices. And we
should use this observance as an opportunity to
encourage and help those who take on the challenge of
caring for a terminally ill patient in their home or in
a hospice facility.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim November 2001 as National
Hospice Month. I encourage Americans to increase their
awareness of the importance and availability of hospice
service and to observe this month with appropriate
activities and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord
two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

(Presidential Sig.)B