The resolution designates November 2025 as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and recognizes palliative care and hospice as essential parts of the care continuum for people with serious illness. It emphasizes the role of an interdisciplinary care team and calls for expanded training opportunities for health care professionals to deliver team-based palliative care and hospice.
The measure also honors volunteers and caregivers and urges observance activities to increase public understanding and appreciation of care options and support networks for patients and families.
By designating a national observance, the resolution seeks to elevate awareness of early integration of palliative care into treatment plans, emphasize pain and symptom management, and highlight grief and bereavement support for families. It is a non-binding expression of Congress, intended to recognize contributions and encourage informed decision-making among patients, families, and health care professionals.
At a Glance
What It Does
Designates November 2025 as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and calls for increased understanding, observation, and recognition of palliative care and hospice.
Who It Affects
Hospice and palliative care providers and staff, patients with serious illness and their families, health care systems, and volunteers.
Why It Matters
Raises public awareness, acknowledges the work of caregivers and professionals, and signals nationwide support for integrating palliative care early in treatment plans.
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What This Bill Actually Does
This Senate resolution designates a national month to highlight hospice and palliative care, recognizing it as a core part of care for people with serious illnesses. It lists the professionals involved in an interdisciplinary team and notes the importance of training opportunities so care teams can work together effectively.
The measure also pays tribute to the thousands of staff and volunteers who support hospice and palliative care and urges observance activities across communities.
The bill underscores the goal of increasing access to palliative care and hospice for anyone in need, regardless of age or background. It emphasizes symptom relief, quality of life, and support for families and caregivers, including grief and bereavement services.
While the resolution acknowledges these services and calls for awareness, it does not create new funding or regulatory requirements; rather, it aims to elevate understanding and recognition to help drive future improvements in care.As a non-binding designation, the resolution relies on public and professional engagement to advance its goals. It invites communities, health care providers, and volunteers to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities, fostering a broader appreciation of options available to patients and families.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill designates November 2025 as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.
It specifies an interdisciplinary care team including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, health aides, and spiritual care providers.
It calls for increased training opportunities in interdisciplinary palliative care and hospice.
In 2023, more than 1,720,000 individuals with serious illness received care from over 6,535 hospice providers.
It encourages awareness activities and recognition of family caregivers and hospice staff and volunteers.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Designation of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
Section 1 designates November 2025 as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. It anchors the observance on the goals of improving access to palliative care, enhancing quality of life, and recognizing the roles of caregivers and professionals who support patients with serious illness.
Encouragement of awareness and observance
Section 2 urges the people of the United States to increase understanding of hospice and palliative care, recognize the contributions of caregivers and staff, and observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. The section foregrounds early integration of palliative care into treatment plans and stresses the importance of grief and bereavement support for families.
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Explore Healthcare in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Patients with serious illness and their families gain greater visibility to care options and resources as awareness grows.
- Millions of family caregivers receive public acknowledgment and guidance about available support.
- Hospice and palliative care providers and staff gain recognition for their roles and may see improved morale and recruitment.
- Hospice volunteers and affiliated organizations are publicly valued for their contributions to patient care.
Who Bears the Cost
- No new federal funding is required; there are no mandated appropriations in the resolution.
- State and local health departments may incur minor costs to promote observance activities.
- Hospice and palliative care providers may incur small, incidental costs to participate in awareness activities.
- Hospitals and care facilities could experience minor time costs from staff engagement in observance-related activities.
- Nonprofit hospices and volunteer organizations may face small costs to coordinate events or information campaigns.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is whether a months-long designation can meaningfully advance access and quality of care without accompanying funding or policy changes. It balances the want to elevate palliative care awareness with the risk that recognition alone may not translate into tangible improvements in resources, training, or coverage for patients and families.
Because this is a non-binding, symbolic designation, the bill does not authorize new funding or create enforceable requirements for health care providers. Its value lies in elevating public awareness, honoring those who deliver and support hospice and palliative care, and signaling national priority for pain management, symptom control, and bereavement services.
The effectiveness of the observance will depend on voluntary participation by communities, health systems, and professional organizations, and not on statutory mandates. Consequently, the impact rests on awareness, education, and cultural acceptance rather than new regulatory power.
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