NEWS

March 6, 2020 - Update from Coalition to Transform Advanced Care

"There have been several important policy updates as actions are being taken to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), many of which will affect hospice and palliative care providers.
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Wednesday that it will be suspending non-emergency inspections of healthcare facilities across the country (see CMS memo HERE), allowing inspectors to turn their focus on the most serious health and safety threats like infectious diseases and abuse/neglect.
 
Additionally, Congress has passed an emergency $8.3 billion spending bill aimed at addressing the outbreak. See the bill summary HERE. To read a full recap of legislative and regulatory updates on the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation website, please click HERE."
 

EVENTS

National Healthcare Decisions Day

Webinar

 

Healthcare Decisions: What Matters Most Now

Thursday, April 30, 2020

The Montgomery County Palliative Care and End of Life Coalition is offering a new webinar for National Healthcare Decisions Day. The focus will be on Advance Care Planning considerations for the COVID-19 pandemic.

While we shelter in place, we are reminded every day that emergencies CAN and DO happen. It is important to talk about the health care you and family members would want in the event of serious illness.

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This free webinar will include:

  • the importance of having Advance Care Planning conversations now, in the midst of this public health crisis

  • reasons why everyone, of all ages and health status, should focus on this issue

  • advice from experts on how and why to have these conversations

 

Panelists:

  • Cora Abundo, RN, Transition Guide Nurse, Suburban Hospital

  • Kate Lu, LCSW, Clinic Director, Pan Asian Volunteer Health Clinic

  • Judy Peres, LCSW-C, Clinical Social Worker and Health Policy Analyst

  • Rachael Ruffin, Program Specialist, Montgomery County African American Health Program

  • Anita Tarzian, PhD, RN,  Program Coordinator, Maryland Healthcare Ethics Committee Network at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Hastings Center Fellow

  • Stephen B. Thomas, PhD, Director, Maryland Center for Health Equity, School of Public Health, University of Maryland

 

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The Conversation Project has released a useful guide on discussing and decision-making about end-of-life care and advance directives during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

CEU's Available: 1.5 Hours, Category 1 for Social Workers

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For more information, contact:
Jackie Ogg, jackieo@rcn.com, 301-537-5627 
Tina Purser Langley, tina.purserlangley@montgomerycountymd.gov, 240-773-8290

Allison Stearns, allisons@caringmatters.org, 301-869-0113​