Statement on IOM “Dying In America” Report
September 17, 2014
The report released today by the Institute of Medicine, Dying in America: Improving Quality and Honoring Individual Preferences Near the End of Life, marks a critical milestone in the evolution of how we care for the sickest and most vulnerable people in this country. Meaningful dialogue around this topic must increase on a national scale if we are to improve how we treat and support those with advanced illness. The IOM’s work here today is a very significant step toward doing that.
“Most people living with advanced illness are not receiving the care they want at a time when they need it most. This is for a variety reasons, including a fragmented system, people not feeling empowered to speak up, and financial barriers,” said Bill Novelli, Co-Chair of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) and a member of the IOM’s report committee. “The good news is there are promising models for improving care that we can learn from and this report sheds light on those key learnings.”
“We all have a role in ensuring people receive the right care at the right time and place, consistent with their values. To be successful, we must collaborate to implement solutions that ensure seriously ill people receive the medical and social services that meet their needs,” said Leonard D. Schaeffer, Judge Robert Maclay Widney Chair and Professor at the University of Southern California, member of the IOM’s report committee, and board member for C-TAC. “The challenge is significant, but this report shows we have the knowledge and creativity to improve end-of-life care for many people. We encourage policymakers, health and medical professionals, the faith community and the public to read and share this report’s findings.”
About C-TAC: The mission at C-TAC is to transform advanced illness care by empowering consumers, changing the healthcare delivery system, improving public and private policies, and enhancing provider capacity. C-TAC is a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of patient and consumer advocacy groups, health care professionals and providers, private sector stakeholders, faith-based organizations and health care payers. C-TAC is co-chaired by Tom Koutsoumpas (President, Caring Foundations) and Bill Novelli (Professor, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University).
