Montana Code 50-12-201. Legislative findings — purpose
50-12-201. Legislative findings — purpose. (1) The legislature finds that:
Terms Used In Montana Code 50-12-201
- Palliative care: means patient-centered and family-centered medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering caused by serious illness. See Montana Code 50-12-202
- Program: means the palliative care consumer and professional information and education program provided for in 50-12-205. See Montana Code 50-12-202
(a)individuals who are experiencing complex, chronic health issues that affect their quality of life should be offered palliative care as a treatment option;
(b)palliative care is appropriate at any age and any stage of a disease and can be provided in conjunction with curative treatments; and
(c)palliative care includes but is not limited to discussions of an individual’s treatment goals and options, including, when appropriate, discussion of comprehensive pain and symptom management and of hospice care.
(2)It is the purpose of this part to ensure that individuals who could benefit from palliative care are made aware of their options through a consumer education program and an informed workforce trained in the benefits of palliative care.