PQLC Goals

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is the relief of pain and suffering for individuals living with serious illness. It’s a team-based approach, providing an extra layer of support at any age or stage of illness, often together with curative treatment.

What is our goal?

The Patient Quality of Life Coalition was formed to advance the interests of patients and families facing serious illness, including survivors. The Coalition has developed a consensus-based agenda aimed at promoting public policy that will improve and expand access to high-quality palliative care.

The Coalition includes more than 40 nongovernmental organizations dedicated to improving quality of care and quality of life for these adults and children.

How does PQLC seek to affect real change?

The Patient Quality of Life Coalition urges legislative and regulatory change that will:

• Advance patient, family and public understanding of how palliative care improves both quality of care and quality of life.
• Develop a well-trained workforce to ensure sufficient numbers of healthcare professionals, with appropriate training and skills, are available to teach and to directly provide palliative care.
• Invest in research necessary to establish a strong evidence base for the delivery of high-quality palliative care.
• Expand the delivery of high-quality palliative care in hospitals, nursing homes, and community settings through improved data collection, quality measurement, and appropriate provider payment.
• Ensure timely access to prescription medication necessary for effective management of pain and other distressing symptoms in patients with legitimate need.

When was the Coalition formed & who are its members?

PQLC was formed in 2013 and consists of groups representing patients, survivors, family caregivers, hospitals, health systems, hospices, physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and researchers.

To find out more, visit our Members page.