Summary: 2008 Annual Public Policy Summit

The Missouri End-of-Life Coalition’s Fourth Annual Policy Summit, held September 12 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, featured Dr. Charles Crecelius, President of the American Medical Directors Association. 

Dr. Crecelius’ “Dying to Get There – Directions in End-of-Life Care” was very well received by this year’s attendees.  “Dying to Get There” explored:

• the evolution of end-of-life care in America;
• the developing health care policies relevant to end-of-life care;
• the economics of end-of-life care; and what is possible to achieve in future endeavors to maximize quality of life. 

Dr. Clay Anderson

Other issues addressed at this year’s Policy Summit were the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care, JCAHO Certificate in Palliative Care, Changes to Hospice Reimbursement, and Implementation of Palliative Care in Long-Term Care.  Updates were received on the Missouri State Advisory Council on Pain and Symptom Management, Missouri APRN Prescriptive Authority, Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Law.   Summary remarks for the day were presented by Dr. Clay Anderson. 

Susie Pekios

During the lunch business meeting, Susie Pekios reported on statewide activities for the April National Health Care Decisions Day.  Activities are in the planning stages for our April 2009 activities.

2007 Summit Summary
2006 Summit Summary
2005 Summit Summary

2008 Summit Scenes

Tricia Schlechte and Mary Cunningham	John Carney and Travis Ford
Jan Schupp, Julie Ballard and Chris Waller	Carol Scott and Debra Cheshire
Connie Payne and Kathy Ray Smith	Carol Scott and Rep. Bill Deeken
From right: Reg Turnbull, Marcia Flesner and Rep. Bill Deeken