Summit examines advanced illness care

The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care today kicked off a two-day summit focused on the future of advanced illness care. Addressing attendees, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack called for policy changes to help palliative care initiatives. “We need to remove barriers that prevent the integration of advanced illness management into the care continuum – from the doctor’s office, to the hospital, to the home, or hospice – so that individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families are supported,” he said. “…We need to make sure that these critical services are available to all our patients, no matter the progression of their illness. This is about seeing and treating the person, not the disease.” AHA is a co-sponsor of the event, which brings together national leaders in advanced illness care. Rich Umbdenstock, AHA past president and CEO, recently joined the C-TAC Board of Directors.