Consumer Protection & End-of-Life Care
Introduction
In 2003, Drew Edmonson, Attorney General of Oklahoma and President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), focused his presidential initiative on end-of-life care. Attorney General Edmonson realized that what individuals needed to insure a death free from pain, with adequate resources, in a setting of choice – was, in many cases, not what was happening in reality.
“Listening Conferences” were scheduled in three regions: Kansas City, San Diego, and Baltimore. Family members, healthcare professionals working in end-of-life care, Attorneys General and Assistant Attorneys General were invited to hear stories and relevant health care data. Poignant consumer stories led off each topic that addressed the following three questions:
The intent was clearly not to point fingers or place blame, rather to increase awareness and engage State Offices of Attorneys General in these efforts.
The stories were provocative and challenged those in attendance to improve education, clinical practice, reimbursement, policy and regulation.
An Assistant Attorney General from Maine’s Office of the Attorney General and Kandyce Powell, Executive Director of the Maine Hospice Council, returned from Baltimore with information and ideas to discuss with Attorney General Steve Rowe.
As a result, information was added to the Attorney General’s website; the Attorney General designated a contact person for end-of-life issues, and plans began taking shape for a “listening conference” for Maine.
Through the generous financial support of several organizations and foundations, the diligence of the planning committee and the involvement of the Attorney General and his staff, a successful “Listening Conference” was held on September 28, 2004 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine. The stories of two courageous consumers and a compelling play written by Jill Bixby were presented to highlight the questions mentioned above.
The following pages contain highlights of the conferences as well as recommendations for next steps. We invite you, the reader, to join us as efforts continue to effect change and improve care for all people in Maine.
Kandyce Powell, Executive Director
Maine Hospice Council