U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., was honored last week for his efforts on hospice issues.
The Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) honored Buchanan with the Hospice Champion Award as the congressman held a roundtable on hospice care.
“I’m honored to receive the Hospice Champion Award, but this meeting truly underscores for me the value of the Medicare Hospice Benefit across our state,” Buchanan said after getting the award. “I’m proud to support policies that increase access to care for patients and their families at such a vulnerable and demanding time.”
Paul Ledford, the president and CEO of the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association and a NHPCO My Hospice Ambassador, praised the Southwest Florida congressman’s record.
“Congressman Buchanan has earned the Hospice Champion Award thanks to his long-standing dedication to public service and assuring access to quality hospice care for Floridians and their loved ones,” Ledford said. “We are fortunate to have him advocating on our behalf in Washington.”
Jonathan Fleece, the president and CEO of Tidewell Hospice and Stratum Health System, also tipped his cap to the congressman.
“Creating a quality, dignified, end-of-life experience is the goal of Tidewell Hospice. We’re able to do that, in part, thanks to the support of Congressman Buchanan and other policymakers who recognize the value of the important, person-centered care we provide,” Fleece said.
Edo Banach, the president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, also praised Buchanan.
“On behalf of the entire hospice and palliative care community, I want to thank Congressman Buchanan and we look forward to working with him on enhancing access to quality hospice and palliative care,” Banach said.
First elected to Congress in 2006, Buchanan sits on the U.S. Ways and Means Committee which oversees Medicare and health policies.
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