Hospice Foundation of America recently responded with a letter to conservative talk show host Bill O'Reilly denouncing comments made by Laura Ingraham, a recent guest on his show in which she evidentally mischaracterized hospice care. In the letter, HFA said Ms. Ingraham portrays "hospice as merely a place to die and her suggestion that hospice advocates seek to shorten life are so wrong and so harmful that they must be addressed."
The discussion was surrounding the health care reform debate now in Congress. Whatever your thoughts on this topic, it is important to note that hospice is not a place but rather a philosophy of care in the home setting that "seeks to add quality to the last weeks and months of life for those suffering from incurable illness," HFA says. "The people who choose hospice do not choose to give up on life. Instead, they wish to spend their final moments at home with their loved ones, aided by doctors and nurses who specialize in pain management and supported by counselors and clergy who are experts in pastoral care."
Here's a link to read the letter to Mr. O'Reilly: http://www.hospicefoundation.org/newsroom/releases/090721.asp
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