Advocacy in Action: APHON at PQLC Lobby Day!

I had the honor of representing APHON at the Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC) Lobby Day—a powerful day of advocacy for palliative care! Just a week prior, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) was reintroduced in both the Senate (S. 2287) and the House (H.R. 4425). What perfect timing!

As APHON members, we understand the critical role palliative care plays in supporting individuals with serious illnesses. Lobby Day gave us the opportunity to share that knowledge with policymakers, thank current bill sponsors, and encourage others to lend their support. You’ve seen the Advocacy Committee send emails urging support for PCHETA in the past—and we’ll continue to do so. Stay tuned and thank you for taking action!

We also advocated for funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill to support the creation of the Consortium for Palliative Care Research Across the Lifespan. This initiative would fund high-quality, innovative research—essential for delivering the best evidence-based care. That requires budget allocation to ensure funding of palliative care research for all ages. We can’t provide the best evidence-based care without the best research evidence!

Our impact was significant: 66 advocates held 87 meetings across 22 states, engaging with 44 Senators and 42 Representatives. The day began with training, followed by group meetings throughout Capitol Hill. Each group was led by an experienced advocate who helped guide our conversations and acted as our hosts. I joined the Tennessee delegation alongside Dr. Gloria Littlemouse from Vanderbilt School of Nursing and Rosalie Abbott from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. It was an amazing experience to represent APHON members, patients, and their families.

The PQLC is a coalition of more than 35 organizations committed to improving the quality of care and life for adults and children with serious illness. APHON has proudly been a member for 10 years. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity—and I encourage YOU to get involved! Whether it’s by sending emails, making calls to your representative’s office, or joining us at Lobby Day next year, your voice matters in continuing to support our patients and their families.