Public Policy

The Coalition for Compassionate Care of California (CCCC) plays a unique and vital role in improving care for seriously ill Californians. We understand that changing the model for end-of-life care involves not only families and healthcare providers, but also public policymakers.

Policy and Legislation

• Pending Legislation: Policy and legislation monitored by CCCC
• Relevant Enacted Legislation: Enacted policies and legislation important to the palliative care and serious illness care communities

To accomplish our mission—to promote high-quality, compassionate care for all seriously ill Californians—CCCC engages in a variety of activities such as tracking legislation and educating policy makers for changes that increase access to palliative medicine and quality, compassionate care.

Activities Include:

• Serving as a resource for policymakers who want accurate, objective information about good end-of-life care, and
• Providing our members with the latest information on state legislation and policies related to palliative medicine and end-of-life care.

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Resources

Stay up-to-date with the latest data and information regarding advance care planning, palliative medicine and end-of-life care. The following resources highlight some of the recent research done on these topics.

• Factsheet: Race & Ethnicity and Death & Dying in California
• Factsheet: Intensity of Care and High Costs at End of Life and Impacts of Advance Care Planning, Hospice and Palliative Care
• Factsheet: The Final Chapter: Californians’ Attitudes & Experiences with Death & Dying
• PowerPoint: Research Update – key facts from recent research on palliative care, Alzheimer’s Disease, and more.
• Report: Final Chapter: Californians’ Attitudes & Experiences with Death & Dying, February 2012. The California HealthCare Foundation in collaboration with the Coalition for Compassionate Care.

Have further questions? Need more information? Contact us for more information.

National Healthcare Decisions Day

On April 16, join Americans across the country and talk to others about your future healthcare decisions – and complete your advance directive! Learn more at National Healthcare Decisions Day. What can you do in your community to promote National Healthcare Decisions Day?

• Town Hall Meetings: Host a Town Hall meeting and invite residents, neighbors, family members and local elected officials to discuss advance care planning. Check out our Advance Care Planning resources that you can bring with you.
• Health Fairs: Get your local hospitals, clinics, physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacies and other suppliers together for a community health fair. Set up a table with community resources and advance directives to hand out.
• Small Group Meetings: Host a “Talking It Over” discussion by a trained facilitator to help people talk with their loved ones about end-of-life wishes. Contact a coalition in your area to help facilitate a meeting and don’t forget to provide advance directives and other resources.
• Press Conferences: Has your legislator sponsored a resolution for National Healthcare Decisions Day? Host a press conference where they can present the resolution. Or, invite this legislator to one of the events you are hosting listed above, and have them present the resolution there!