Colorado State legislators are currently considering a bill that would create a new hospice and palliative care license plate to raise awareness of important health care options for people facing chronic or progressive illness or injury as well as end-of-life care.
Sponsored by Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, House Bill 21-1128, will allow Colorado drivers to choose the new plate if they make an annual donation to a designated non-profit organization promoting hospice and palliative care in the state.
“Hospice and palliative care provide nurturing environments for individuals dealing with serious illness or at end of life. It is so important to have conversations about what one would like their life journey to be. The more we can increase awareness and educate people in sharing their decisions and wishes, the better we’ll be able to address their health care needs,” explains Keri Jaeger, President & CEO for Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice.
The proceeds from the special license plates will fund awareness and education initiatives including professional development for health care workers who support hospice and palliative care patients, as well as public campaigns aimed at connecting more families and their loved ones with end-of-life care.
After passing the House Transportation and Local Government Committee, the bill moves on to the Appropriations Committee. If passed into law, the new license plates could be available to the public next year.
If you’re interested in this initiative, you can reach out to your legislators with your support for this bill at https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators
