§ 1621d. — Hospice care feasibility study.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 25USC1621d]
TITLE 25--INDIANS
CHAPTER 18--INDIAN HEALTH CARE
SUBCHAPTER II--HEALTH SERVICES
Sec. 1621d. Hospice care feasibility study
(a) Duty of Secretary
The Secretary, acting through the Service and in consultation with
representatives of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Indian Health
Service personnel, and hospice providers, shall conduct a study--
(1) to assess the feasibility and desirability of furnishing
hospice care to terminally ill Indians; and
(2) to determine the most efficient and effective means of
furnishing such care.
(b) Functions of study
Such study shall--
(1) assess the impact of Indian culture and beliefs concerning
death and dying on the provision of hospice care to Indians;
(2) estimate the number of Indians for whom hospice care may be
appropriate and determine the geographic distribution of such
individuals;
(3) determine the most appropriate means to facilitate the
participation of Indian tribes and tribal organizations in providing
hospice care;
(4) identify and evaluate various means for providing hospice
care, including--
(A) the provision of such care by the personnel of a Service
hospital pursuant to a hospice program established by the
Secretary at such hospital; and
(B) the provision of such care by a community-based hospice
program under contract to the Service; and
(5) identify and assess any difficulties in furnishing such care
and the actions needed to resolve such difficulties.
(c) Report to Congress
Not later than the date which is 12 months after October 29, 1992,
the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report containing--
(1) a detailed description of the study conducted pursuant to
this section; and
(2) a discussion of the findings and conclusions of such study.
(d) Definitions
For the purposes of this section--
(1) the term ``terminally ill'' means any Indian who has a
medical prognosis (as certified by a physician) of a life expectancy
of six months or less; and
(2) the term ``hospice program'' means any program which
satisfies the requirements of section 1395x(dd)((2) of title 42; and
(3) the term ``hospice care'' means the items and services
specified in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of section 1395x(dd)(1)
of title 42.
(Pub. L. 94-437, title II, Sec. 205, as added Pub. L. 102-573, title II,
Sec. 206(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4548.)
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1621d, Pub. L. 94-437, title II, Sec. 205, as added
Pub. L. 100-713, title II, Sec. 203(c), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4807,
related to Native Hawaiian health promotion and disease prevention,
prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100-579, Sec. 14, formerly Sec. 10, Oct. 31,
1988, 102 Stat. 2923; Pub. L. 100-690, title II, Sec. 2310, Nov. 18,
1988, 102 Stat. 4229; renumbered Sec. 14, Pub. L. 102-396, title IX,
Sec. 9168, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1948. See section 11701 et seq. of
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
