“Palliative Care: Facing Tough Choices” - A Town Hall Los Angeles Panel Discussion

“Palliative Care: Facing Tough Choices,” is the topic of a panel discussion presented by Town Hall Los Angeles on Thursday, December 8, 2011, at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica.  Angelenos will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive updated information on this personal and universal topic.

The panel will cover recent state laws such as the Right to Know End-of-Life Options Act (AB2747) and POLST - Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (AB3000), that support Californians' desire for quality of life in the face of serious illness. Statistics reveal that approximately 47% of Californians will be in a hospital at death. Chronically and seriously ill patients, prime candidates for palliative care, constitute only 5-10% of US patients but account for over half of the nation's healthcare costs.

“Navigating our healthcare system is complex, particularly for those entering the last phase of their lives.  Getting informed and having the courageous conversations before the crisis is a gift to yourself and your loved ones,” said panelist, Judy Citko, JD, Executive Director, Coalition for Compassionate Care of California.  

Panelists also include Mark E. Haddad, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP; Susan Elizabeth Wang, MD, Internal and Geriatric Medicine, Fellowship Director, Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Assistant Physician in Charge, Continuing Care Services, Kaiser Permanente WLAMC and LAMC; Neil S. Wenger, MD, Director, Assisting Care of Vulnerable Elders Project, RAND Corporation, Physician, Internal Medicine, UCLA. The moderator is Paul Schneider, MD, FACP, Bioethicist, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Systems, Department of Medicine, Chairman, Steering Committee, Southern California Bioethics Committee Consortium.  

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