WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Report: Not Enough Pain Management Training
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Montpelier, Vermont - January 29, 2009
A new report on end-of-life care for terminally ill patients finds health care professionals don't have enough training.
The report by the legislature says there needs to be better education for doctors and nurses on pain management. Vermont is one of six states that does not have a continuing education requirement.
Also, the report found hospice care saves health care dollars by reducing Medicare expenses.
"There are significant cost savings. So when folks are covered in their insurance programs for hospice care for at the end of life, there is actually a savings in the premiums. So this is emerging nationally. So we're very excited about it," said Sen. Ginny Lyons, D-Chittenden County.
Lyons says she will introduce a bill to allow terminally ill patients to end their lives. The controversial death with dignity or physician-assisted suicide bill did not pass last session and could again run into a lot of opposition.
Oregon is the only state that has passed the measure.
Kristin Carlson - WCAX News
